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Close All Tabs

KQED
Social Media
Tiktok
Misinformation
Elon Musk
Disinformation
Donald Trump
Silicon Valley
Spotify
Waymo
Chatgpt
Charlie Kirk
Meme Culture
Family Vlogging
Hyperpop
Data Centers
Dating Apps
Luigi Mangione
Micro-Genres
Generative AI
JD Vance

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes74Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTechnology

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Artwork for Close All Tabs

Latest Episodes

Flock Safety’s license plate readers have become a flashpoint for a debate across the country. On one side: law enforcement and their supporters, who say the cameras reduce crime and improve public safety. On the other: residents and advocates worrie... more

Everyone seems to have an opinion about AI, but what about those who will likely be affected most — recent graduates?

This cohort of grads is unique. They remember what classrooms were like before the emergence of ChatGPT in 2022, and have seen how ... more

When shareholders of gaming giant Electronic Arts approved an acquisition of the company by a group that includes Jared Kushner’s private equity firm and the Saudi Public Investment Fund late last year, it rocked the entertainment industry. The sale ... more

“Did The Sims make you gay?” is a long-running joke among Sims players. For millions, The Sims has been more than a video game — it’s been a place to experiment, tell stories, and explore identity. Long before LGBTQ representation became common in ma... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Alina Simintal
Graduate with master's in kinesiology from San Francisco State
San Francisco State University
Episode: Meet the Grads Grappling With AI and Their Futures
Ada He
Fourth-year UC San Diego cognitive science student
UC San Diego
Episode: Meet the Grads Grappling With AI and Their Futures
Aaron Kim
UC Berkeley graduate with political science major
UC Berkeley
Episode: Meet the Grads Grappling With AI and Their Futures
Kayla Sims
Twitch streamer and YouTuber known as LilSimsie
The Sims / Maxis
Episode: The $55B Deal That Has Sims Players Worried
Zefrine (Rachel Sim)
The Sims creator and organizer for the Players Alliance
Players Alliance
Episode: The $55B Deal That Has Sims Players Worried
Maxwell Frost
Congressman, Gen Z member of Congress
U.S. Congress
Episode: The $55B Deal That Has Sims Players Worried
Jessica Croft
Senior designer for The Sims 4
EA
Episode: A Queer History of The Sims
Loel Phelps
Senior game design director at EA
EA
Episode: A Queer History of The Sims
Thomas Germain
Co-host of The Interface, tech columnist at the BBC
BBC
Episode: How To Prove You're Not AI

Host

Morgan Sung
Host and tech journalist guiding discussions on internet culture, AI, and digital society.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 271 ratings
  • A vital resource for staying relevant

    As a parent- this is an essential resource. Such a service! So grateful. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    manhattanbeachmo
    United States2 months ago
  • Love love love

    Every episode is fantastic - great in-depth engaging stories that are relevant to the state of the tech world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ajhqt
    United States3 months ago
  • So helpful!

    Im a nature girl a bit overwhelmed and frustrated by the current digital world. This podcast is very engaging. My curiosity is being nourished here which is helpful for my wellbeing and navigation of what is unfolding.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oak🌱seedlings🌈
    United States3 months ago
  • Great show

    Super current and always locked in

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mitchyblueeyes
    United States3 months ago
  • O M G

    In 23andme the guest on the episode is my auntie

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lemontree415
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise timely, well-researched coverage of current tech issues.
Fans appreciate the mix of expert voices and practical takeaways.
Listeners often recommend the show for staying informed on digital culture and policy.
Shows high-quality reporting and thoughtful discussions; some episodes noted for transformative insights.
Audiences value accessible explanations of complex topics and engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#199
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#140
Philippines/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Momfluencers
Q: What role did the church play in sponsoring these influencers?
The church reportedly financed and supported influencers, coordinating sponsorships and sometimes providing resources or brand deals, which helped certain creators reach large audiences while associating the content with Mormon values without explicit religious messaging.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Momfluencers
Q: Why are so many momfluencers Mormon?
Because Mormon culture historically emphasizes family, large families, early internet adoption, and meticulous documentation of life, which together with community values and resources created a fertile environment for momfluencers to grow and monetize content.
My Therapist Is a Chatbot (Reload)
Q: What happened with the National Eating Disorder Association hotline and with Character AI in the context of safety concerns?
The hotline episode with NEDA's Tessa showed how poorly designed dieting advice could be dangerous for someone with an eating disorder, while Character AI faced lawsuits after cases where a teen's distress was reinforced by the bot, prompting safety and liability concerns for empathetic AI.
My Therapist Is a Chatbot (Reload)
Q: Over the course of your reporting, did you meet anyone who actually used an AI chat bot for therapy?
Yes, the reporter spoke with several people, including Lily Payne, to illustrate nuanced experiences where AI therapy helped with grounding and mood regulation, but also highlighted limitations and risks in handling complex mental health conditions.
Save or Scroll: Looksmaxxing, AI Fruit Love Island, BTS Arirang, and Meta Lawsuits
Q: What is looks maxing and why has it become controversial?
Looks maxing is a community focus on gamifying physical appearance to be more attractive, often with male-dominated culture and a mix of self-improvement rhetoric that intersects with performative masculinity and, in some cases, fascist aesthetics, leading to controversy about gender, power, and ideology.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Close All Tabs

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

Close All Tabs examines how digital culture, technology, and online ecosystems shape everyday life, from AI and deepfakes to memes, online safety, and policy. Episodes blend reporting, expert interviews, and cultural analysis to reveal how platforms, data, and internet trends influence trust, privacy, and social norms. Notable throughlines include the ethics of AI-generated media, consumer rights in repair and digital privacy, and the human stories behind tech policy, with a knack for translating complex topics into engaging, topical conversations. A standout aspect is its willingness to pair technical nuance with accessible storytelling and a diverse slate of guests that ranges from researchers and journalists to creators and advocates, ma... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Close All Tabs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Close All Tabs:

1. The Bay
2. Throughline
3. KQED's The California Report
4. Search Engine
5. Explain It to Me

How many episodes of Close All Tabs are there?

Close All Tabs launched 19 years ago and published 74 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Close All Tabs?

Recent guests on Close All Tabs include:

1. Alina Simintal
2. Ada He
3. Aaron Kim
4. Kayla Sims
5. Zefrine (Rachel Sim)
6. Maxwell Frost
7. Jessica Croft
8. Loel Phelps

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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