Rephonic
Artwork for Close All Tabs

Close All Tabs

KQED
Disinformation
Misinformation
Family Vlogging
Elon Musk
Tiktok
X (formerly Twitter)
JD Vance
Child Influencers
Waymo
AI Therapy
Political Memes
Kami Barrett
Privacy Rights
Self-Driving Cars
Silicon Valley
Internet Archive
Wayback Machine
Donald Trump
Hillbilly Elegy
KQED

Ever wonder where the internet stops and IRL begins? Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor. From internet trends to AI slop to the politics of memes, Close All Tabs covers it all. How will AI change our jobs and lives? Is the government watching what I post? Is there life beyond TikTok? Host Morgan Sung pulls from experts, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes52Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Close All Tabs

Latest Episodes

AI delusions, chatbot psychosis, AI-induced religious mania… The phenomenon goes by many names, but the common thread is the same: someone starts talking to an AI chatbot, the conversation turns spiritual, and then they seem to lose touch with realit... more

What is a “groyper?” The term began trending on Google in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death. Kirk, the right-wing podcaster and Turning Point USA co-founder, was fatally shot last Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University.

Major news o... more

When 23andMe filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, it set off alarm bells among privacy experts and consumers alike. According to a 2025 survey, about 1 in 5 Americans has taken a home DNA test. Among those who haven’t, privacy ranks as one of thei... more

The Close All Tabs team is taking the week off, but we wanted to share something else we think you’ll be into: a new mini series from MIT’s TeachLab Podcast. It’s called The Homework Machine, and it dives deep into how teachers and students are navig... more

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Recent Guests

Trine Gallegos
A mother, wife, and former journalist who has connected with her biological family through DNA testing.
Episode: 23andMe (andGeneticPrivacy)
Anya Prince
Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, specializing in genetic privacy and discrimination.
University of Iowa
Episode: 23andMe (andGeneticPrivacy)
Adam Aleksic
Known online as etymology nerd, he studies the evolution of language and slang.
Episode: Is Algospeak Coming for Us?
Brewster Kahle
Founder of The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive
Episode: Bonus: A Big Win for the Internet Archive
Felidoro Cueva
One of the first Latino engineers in Silicon Valley, and father of producer Maya Cueva.
Episode: OGs of Tech: A Latino Engineer in Silicon Valley
Kieran Press-Reynolds
Writer at Pitchfork, focusing on technology and music intersections.
Pitchfork
Episode: The Spotify Effect, Pt 2: Micro-Genre Madness
Francesca Fenzi
Digital Community Producer at KQED
KQED
Episode: Do You Hear What I Hear? Audio Illusions and Misinformation
Drea Ramirez
Anime and manga marketing and distribution professional
Crunchyroll, Fakku
Episode: Why Can’t Hentai Go Legit?
Mike Rugnetta
Host of Never Post
Never Post
Episode: Why Can’t Hentai Go Legit?

Host

Morgan Sung
Morgan Sung is a tech journalist whose work encompasses a range of absurdity and brilliance that is the internet. She engages with both experts and audience opinions, exploring how digital cultures intersect with real-world experiences.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 148 ratings
  • Ethics don’t exist

    Just listened to Shadow Scholars. It isn’t mentioned at all how cheating is wrong and how the people offering cheating services might also be wrong for their participation. It’s unethical to engage in cheating whether you sell or receive the cheated work. The providers live in other countries allowing them to not be criminally liable and we’re meant to leave feeling sympathetic for them that they cannot go to global north universities? If they’re so highly educated then they can create their own... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Emilyjoyphotos
    United Statesa month ago
  • Insightful while mentally untaximg

    Learned a lot from this professionally done pod

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    batyrn
    United Statesa month ago
  • Upon discovering this podcast, it immediately became my favorite. I eagerly look for new episodes. The setup for the show is very relatable because, yeah, I have a lot of tabs open at any given moment. Morgan is a good host and I wish that she delivered most of my podcast shows. Thank you so much for making such an informative and interesting podcast!!

    Podchaser
    5
    sonotcool
    3 months ago
  • Thought provoking

    This podcast is thought provoking and makes me think about issues that I didn’t realize was an issue. The recent episode on what if the internet archive goes dark really made me go hmm. I’ve learned so much in each episode about the power of technology as a force for good but it also opens the tab and examines the unintended consequences of technology.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LeeBird Dad
    United States6 months ago
  • Binged every ep - please make more!

    I’ve already learned so much from them. Thank you for making tech and politics transparent and digestible. Please don’t stop this pod! We need a deep dive on much more, I particularly want to know about the tech that runs our ballot machines - who makes these softwares, how are they secured, and how do we know we can trust them?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rattlebone rockero
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thought-provoking nature of the content, frequently mentioning its ability to highlight underappreciated issues regarding digital culture.
The mix of humor and critical analysis seems to resonate well, making technology and politics feel accessible and engaging.
Many express a desire for more in-depth explorations of specific tech topics, which showcases their enthusiasm and engagement with the podcast's content.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#48
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#147
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#223
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#36
South Korea/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#138
Philippines/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#155
New Zealand/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Groypers, Doxxing and Charlie Kirk’s Death as a S***post
Q: What is the current conversation missing by not understanding the deeply online context of this entire case?
The conversation is too motivated from a right-wing perspective and fails to recognize that CNN no longer narrates American life effectively for many people.
Groypers, Doxxing and Charlie Kirk’s Death as a S***post
Q: Can you elaborate on what this killing was a shitpost?
It's an act that disrupts the norms of conversation, a form of trolling that ignores coherent discourse.
23andMe (andGeneticPrivacy)
Q: What precautions would you recommend for someone considering taking a DNA test?
It is important to understand the trade-offs regarding confidentiality and privacy when using a service like 23andMe.
Before ChatGPT, There Were 'Shadow Scholars'
Q: What does it mean for these institutions if they're awarding degrees and certifications to people who didn't actually do the work to get them?
It raises a reckoning for academia about the true educational integrity and the invisible labor contributing to academic success.
Before ChatGPT, There Were 'Shadow Scholars'
Q: Can you describe any of the essay writers you profiled?
The Shadow Scholars we profiled were young students who graduated and had been in the industry for years.

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 Close All Tabs

What is Close All Tabs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A captivating exploration of the intersection between digital culture and real life, this podcast tackles how online trends and technologies shape societal dynamics. With topics ranging from the influence of AI on daily life to the political implications of memes, it delves into the comedic and serious aspects of internet culture. The host combines expert opinions and historical context, making complex digital phenomena accessible and engaging. Listeners can expect thoughtful insights, irreverent humor, and a rich tapestry of discussions that address the ever-evolving relationship between the internet, the public, and culture.

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What are the audience demographics for Close All Tabs?

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How many subscribers and views does Close All Tabs have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Close All Tabs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close All Tabs:

1. Bay Curious
2. Consider This from NPR
3. Question Everything with Brian Reed
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
5. Today, Explained

How many episodes of Close All Tabs are there?

Close All Tabs launched 19 years ago and published 52 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 Close All Tabs?

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 Close All Tabs?

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What guests have appeared on Close All Tabs?

Recent guests on Close All Tabs include:

1. Trine Gallegos
2. Anya Prince
3. Adam Aleksic
4. Brewster Kahle
5. Felidoro Cueva
6. Kieran Press-Reynolds
7. Francesca Fenzi
8. Drea Ramirez

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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