Rephonic
Artwork for Better Offline
Elon Musk
Musk Foundation
Openai
Google
Apple
Bluetooth Keyboards
Vision Pro
Venture Capital
Meta
Technology
Rot Economy
Ad Astra School
UNICEF
Bastrop, Texas
Texas
Spacex
Flint, Michigan
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Starlink
Google Docs

Better Offline is a weekly show exploring the tech industry’s influence and manipulation of society - and interrogating the growth-at-all-costs future that tech’s elite wants to build.

Combining narrative-form storytelling, one-on-one interviews and panel-based discussions, Better Offline cuts through the buzzwords and obfuscation of the tech industry, investigating and evaluating the schemes an... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes170Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Better Offline

Latest Episodes

In this week's Better Offline monologue, Ed Zitron takes a moment to discuss the current state of the bubble, and the way we’re all feeling at this time in history.

Want to support me? Get $10 off a year’s subscription to my premium newsletter: htt... more

YouTube

Welcome to Radio Better Offline, a tech talk radio show recorded out of iHeartRadio's studio in New York City.

Ed is joined in-studio by Paris Martineau of Consumer Reports and freelance writer Ashwin Rodrigues to talk about the amount of lead in p... more

YouTube

In this week's Better Offline monologue, Ed Zitron walks you through why nobody should be afraid of generative video, and how it’s impossible, impractical and expensive to make movies with Sora.

www.npr.org/2025/10/20/nx-s1-5567119/sora-2-op... more

YouTube

In a Better Offline exclusive, Ed Zitron reveals how much Anthropic spent on Amazon Web Services in 2024 and 2025, and how the costs of running their services are increasing linearly with their revenue, suggesting there may be no path to profitabilit... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Paris Martineau
Freelance writer at Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Episode: The Internet Is The World's Worst Pharmacy w/ Paris Martineau & Ashwin Rodrigues
Ashwin Rodriguez
Freelance writer, primarily on topics surrounding health and supplements
Episode: The Internet Is The World's Worst Pharmacy w/ Paris Martineau & Ashwin Rodrigues
Brian Merchant
Author and writer of the book and newsletter Blood in the Machine
Episode: The World of AI Regulation with Brian Merchant
David Roth
Writer for Defector
Defector
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Victoria Song and David Roth
Colton Voege
Programmer and writer known for his insights on AI's impact on software engineering.
Episode: AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Allison Morrow
From CNN Nightcap Newsletter
CNN
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Edward Ongweso Jr. & Allison Morrow
Edward Ongweso Jr
From the Tech Bubble Newsletter
Substack
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Edward Ongweso Jr. & Allison Morrow
Steve Burke
Editor and founder at GamersNexus, known for in-depth technology videos and gaming hardware analysis.
GamersNexus
Episode: The Black Market for AI GPUs with Steve Burke
Molly White
Critic and author of the Citation Needed Newsletter
Episode: Building A Newspaper Out of the Internet with Molly White

Host

Ed Zitron
Ed Zitron is a technology industry veteran known for his analytical insights and forthright critiques of the sector. He frequently challenges prevailing narratives in technology, making complex topics engaging and accessible through lively discussion and an unapologetic style.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • The content is great, the audio levels are tough

    I’m thrilled with this podcast. I asked for Pod recs from Bryan Merchant on his substack and this was one of a handful he recommended, and maybe the only one I will continue to listen to. I was looking for a less fawning alternative to Hard Fork, and this is definitely it. The rants are enjoyable, and the data is solid. I enjoy it. I’ve also subscribed to the written version to get into the real meaty bits of how AI is not all it’s hyped up to be.

    My one complaint is the audio levels. I usuall... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lexacorncow
    United States24 days ago
  • Produced by I heart radio makes no sense

    Lots of great information in this show, but I have a hard time taking it seriously due to the contradiction of the show’s messages vs the constant stream of ads, many of which are probably ai-generated (it feels like 50% of the total episode is ads). I hope the host/creator will consider going independent or finding a better production company. For now, I will be unsubscribing.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    cpm1993
    United Statesa month ago
  • A great show with to many ads

    I want to love this podcast, the journalism is great and I really like Ed’s rants. However, the sheer amount of ads (often three or four in a row) interspersed throughout an episode is infuriating. I get that a guy needs to eat, but a better monetization model is desperately needed.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dgffjdgjfcnfdjs svjsbzxb
    United Statesa month ago
  • Learn more about rationalists

    Before dismissing them as a legit threat to the tech industry, especially because of their deep connections to the ML field. I had to turn off this last episode because of the ignorance by the break. They are a dangerous cult incubator with some pretty wild thoughts, I.e the zizians. EY is more than some nerd grifter, and rationalism isn’t about “rational thought” at all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackusAnarchus
    United Statesa month ago
  • Full of ads

    Why is this Podcast full of annoying ads? I wouldn’t have thought ed zitron is that greedy.

    One or two ads is ok but this is not fun to listen anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    carol86_1
    Germanya month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback indicates a desire for more varied content rather than repetitive themes.
There is notable concern about the frequency of advertisements disrupting the listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth critiques of technology and its societal implications.
Many find the host's style engaging and insightful, although some express fatigue over overly critical rants.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Q: Does the nature of coding make it hard to generate quality code?
Yes, because coding is complex and requires understanding of context, systems, and styles of the existing codebase, which AI lacks.
AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Q: Why can't AI coding tools make you a 10x engineer?
AI is good at generating code, especially boilerplate, but coding encompasses much more problem-solving and system understanding that AI struggles with.
AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Q: Can you explain what you do for a living?
I'm a software engineer focusing on web application development, building interactive applications that run in browsers.
CZM Rewind: The Academics That Think ChatGPT Is BS
Q: How did you decide to write this?
The idea originated from discussions about the prevalence of ChatGPT-generated essays and the connection to philosophical concepts of bullshit, leading to a realization that there was material for an academic paper.
CZM Rewind: The Academics That Think ChatGPT Is BS
Q: Can you define bullshit for me?
Bullshitting is speaking without caring about the truth of what you say; it suggests a lack of regard for the truth while trying to persuade others.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Offline

What is Better Offline about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intersection of technology and society, episodes critically assess how the tech industry manipulates public perception and drives unsustainable growth. Notable discussions cover topics like the hype surrounding artificial intelligence, the environmental and ethical implications of tech advancements, and the financial practices of major tech companies.

The show features a mix of narrative storytelling, interviews, and panel discussions, allowing listeners to gain insight into the industry's operations from multiple perspectives. With a blend of skepticism and critical analysis, it strives to demystify complex issues, appealing to tech-savvy individuals as well as those concerned about societal impacts, making it a compelling ... more

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How many listeners does Better Offline get?

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What are the audience demographics for Better Offline?

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How many subscribers and views does Better Offline have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Better Offline has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Better Offline?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Better Offline:

1. It Could Happen Here
2. Tech Won't Save Us
3. Weird Little Guys
4. Behind the Bastards
5. Kill The Computer

How many episodes of Better Offline are there?

Better Offline launched 2 years ago and published 170 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Better Offline?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Better Offline?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Better Offline from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Better Offline?

Recent guests on Better Offline include:

1. Paris Martineau
2. Ashwin Rodriguez
3. Brian Merchant
4. David Roth
5. Colton Voege
6. Allison Morrow
7. Edward Ongweso Jr
8. Steve Burke

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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