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Artwork for Endless Thread

Endless Thread

WBUR
Social Media
Artificial Intelligence
Tiktok
Reddit
Video Games
Carnivore Diet
Donald Trump
Youtube
Climate Change
Mental Health
Deepfakes
Stanley Cup
China
Kamala Harris
Online Communities
Shaquille O'neal
NBA
Irukandji Jellyfish
Sandwiches
Vertical Shorts

Untold histories, unsolved mysteries, and other jaw-dropping stories online and IRL. Hosted by Ben Brock Johnson & Amory Sivertson.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes453Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Endless Thread

Latest Episodes

Try reading this description as fast as you can: Ben and Amory zoom through two internet stories connected to speed running, including a look at a mysterious object on Reddit and an online trend directed at the Church of Scientology.

Show notes:

... more

Some Internet trends are temporary, but eggs are forever. Today, host Ben Brock Johnson serves up a story about a recipe that, according to the people of r/pickled, can't be beat, and producer Kalyani Saxena egg-splores online discourse around Korean... more

Of all the internet communities in all the world, you walked into ours.

Hosts Ben and Amory pay homage to the magic of chance encounters with producer Grace Tatter. Together, they explore the ways in which the internet fuels random yet delightful me... more

Comedian Ben Palmer set up a fake tip line for reporting immigrants in the United States suspected of not having legal status. He recorded the conversations, and things... got uncomfortable and, in some cases, disturbing. But for a lot of viewers, th... more

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Recent Guests

Ben Palmer
Comedian known for immigration-related prank videos and a controversial online tip line
Episode: Ben Palmer's Brain
Ridiculoubs (Riddy)
Person behind the Ridiculoubs online persona; photographer/hiker
Personal project featured on Google Maps and Instagram
Episode: Extraordinary vs. Extra Ordinary
Sarah Jones Green
Founder of the Dull Women's Club on Facebook
Dull Women's Club
Episode: Extraordinary vs. Extra Ordinary
Yvette Cendes
Astronomer, radio astronomer, Reddit influencer (u/Andromeda321)
University of Oregon
Episode: Close Encounters of the Hexagonal Kind
Hayley DeRoche
Creator of SadBeige, TikTok content creator
SadBeige Clothing for Kids / Author
Episode: A Beige New World
Stella Sacco
Writer and narrative designer for Lily's Garden
Tactile Games
Episode: Digging Up Lily's Garden
Gonzalo Fasinella
Chief marketing officer at Tactile Games
Tactile Games
Episode: Digging Up Lily's Garden
Meryl Verhoeven
Player and consumer of Lily's Garden
Player community member
Episode: Digging Up Lily's Garden
Iona Fyfe
Scottish folk singer and activist
Episode: What it's like to be undressed by Grok without your consent

Hosts

Ben Brock Johnson
Host of Endless Thread; WBUR veteran and co-creator of The Midnight Rebellion; known for investigative storytelling and humor.
Amory Sivertson
Co-host of Endless Thread; WBUR veteran focusing on online culture, internet communities and tech policy.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 4.1k ratings
  • great show

    I'm so glad to hear more episodes with both Amory and Ben - their cohost chemistry really makes the show for me, even/especially when they're just bringing each other interesting Reddit threads to discuss. Scrolling through these comments, it's wild to see so many complaints about the politics from both right *and* left wing listeners. If so many are sure they're seeing the opposite bias, I think it says more about the political climate than the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HandDrawnFoxes
    United Statesa month ago
  • USED TO BE GOOD

    Till it got political!!! Now they’re saying that it should be mandatory that all kids get a sex change operation! If all boys are girls then all girls are boys, then… well that’s what the liberals want!!!! TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    EvanWagnerATL
    United States2 months ago
  • Sigh

    I like this podcast until I listened to the man host mansplain to the woman host why she should have a baby and how she will be happier when the baby comes and yeah no thank you. I tried going back and all I can hear now is lady host laughing at everything man hosts says and yikes.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    McDinan
    United States2 months ago
  • Check your sponsors

    Get rid of the Is Business Broken podcast, especially when they’re platforming the people that make life extremely unaffordable for the people in “flyover country.” Friggin coastal elites…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Homer2013
    United States2 months ago
  • Just not that interesting.

    Feel like a lot of recent episodes have gotten away fr any internet culture or technology angle and just rehashing (without any nuance) culture wars issues or dunking on whatever’s on R/all

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Karl Rover
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive notes highlight insightful analysis and entertaining storytelling, with strong guest selections.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' chemistry and balanced, curious approach to internet culture.
Some listeners feel recent episodes lean too political or partisan.
Listeners value nuanced discussions over hype, and praise production quality and branding.
A few criticisms mention tonal shifts or coverage gaps around online culture topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Endless Egg
Q: Whose recipe is this, and who benefits from its viral spread?
The discussion centers on attribution, the role of the algorithm in spreading content, and whether profits or recognition should accrue to the cultural community of origin rather than a single influencer.
Endless Egg
Q: What do you mean you're chronically online?
The hosts discuss how credit for iconic dishes can be attributed to the original communities and creators, while online platforms often overlook context, leading to debates about ownership versus appreciation.
Extraordinary vs. Extra Ordinary
Q: What is the appeal of the Dull Women's Club for its members and for online communities overall?
It provides a safe, judgment-free space for celebrating mundane joys and creature comforts, offering a sense of belonging and understanding that isn't about achieving extraordinary feats.
Extraordinary vs. Extra Ordinary
Q: What drew you to the Ridiculoubs project and wearing high heels on hikes?
The hosts uncover Ridiculoubs's motivation to blend fashion and nature as a form of self-expression and a way to invite awe and curiosity in unusual landscapes.
Fresh, stale, or politics? The Melania doc's Rotten Tomatoes score, explained
Q: Could this be the result of astroturfing?
The hosts examine if the significant difference between critics' and audience scores could be influenced by astroturfing, considering viewers' biases.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Endless Thread

What is Endless Thread about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, curiosity-driven exploration of internet culture, technology and online communities, blending investigative storytelling with thoughtful humor. Episodes span memes, online behavior, digital ethics, privacy, and the real-world impact of virtual phenomena—often tying quirky online trends to larger social, political, or technological themes. A standout trait is the duo's collaborative dynamic and willingness to tackle controversial topics with nuance, supported by strong production branding from a public radio staple. This mix makes it engaging for listeners who enjoy insight into how online spaces shape real life and culture, with enough variety to appeal to both tech-minded audiences and general curious listeners.

Noteworthy element... more

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How many listeners does Endless Thread get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Endless Thread 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 Endless Thread?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Endless Thread:

1. Hyperfixed
2. Decoder Ring
3. Search Engine
4. 99% Invisible
5. Twenty Thousand Hertz

How many episodes of Endless Thread are there?

Endless Thread launched 8 years ago and published 453 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 Endless Thread?

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What guests have appeared on Endless Thread?

Recent guests on Endless Thread include:

1. Ben Palmer
2. Ridiculoubs (Riddy)
3. Sarah Jones Green
4. Yvette Cendes
5. Hayley DeRoche
6. Stella Sacco
7. Gonzalo Fasinella
8. Meryl Verhoeven

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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