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Shane Smith Has Questions

VICE News & Studio71
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Shane Smith Has Questions is a dynamic, apolitical podcast hosted by Shane Smith dedicated to getting to the bottom of prominent instances of misinformation and disinformation while revealing the fascinating fundamental truths (if there are any?) of the most interesting and convoluted social and political issues of our time. For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes64Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Renée DiResta has spent the past decade investigating how propaganda, foreign influence and conspiracy theories spread online. Now, as the midterms approach and AI makes manipulation faster and cheaper, she warns that America may be returning to wher... more

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar just won a major Supreme Court fight against the Trump administration over its attempt to impose new federal restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the midterms.

Aguilar joins Shane Smith to explain what Trum... more

YouTube

At 23, Adam Mockler has become one of the most prominent young voices in liberal political media, building an audience of millions through rapid-response videos, debates and viral clips.

Adam joins Shane Smith to explain why Republicans dominated th... more

YouTube

Most people know Ben McKenzie from The O.C. Over the past several years, however, he has made an unlikely transformation into a serious crypto investigator—and, as Shane puts it, a hell of a journalist and filmmaker.

McKenzie joins Shane to discuss ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Cisco Aguilar
Nevada Secretary of State, state election official
Nevada Secretary of State
Episode: Trump’s Fight to Control the 2026 Midterms w/ Cisco Aguilar | Shane Smith Has Questions
Adam Mockler
23 year old political commentator for digital media
Independent media / New Media 2.0
Episode: “Clipping Is the New Canvassing” | w/Adam Mockler | Shane Smith Has Questions
Ben McKenzie
Actor, filmmaker, journalist; subject of the interview
Filmmaker/Writer
Episode: Ben McKenzie Exposes Crypto’s Biggest Lies | Shane Smith Has Questions
Tim Miller
Host at the Bulwark; former communications director for Jeb Bush; co-host of the Next Level Podcast and the Bulwark Podcast
Bulwark
Episode: When Politics Became Sports: Tim Miller on Trump, Media & America | Shane Smith Has Questions
Sean Penn
Actor, filmmaker, journalist and activist known for on-the-ground reporting and interviews with global figures
Actor, Documentary filmmaker (e.g., Superpower), associated projects with Zelenskyy, Maduro, Chávez, Chávez
Episode: Sean Penn on Zelenskyy, El Chapo, and Seeing the World Up Close | Shane Smith Has Questions
Gelareh Kiazand
Journalist and filmmaker from Tehran
Episode: Reporting the Region: Inside Iran & Afghanistan | Gelareh Kiazand | SSHQ
Ken Burns
Documentary filmmaker
Florentine Films
Episode: Ken Burns: "There is No Them. There's Only Us." | Shane Smith Has Questions
Dan Farah
Hollywood producer and documentary filmmaker
The Age of Disclosure (documentary)
Episode: The Age of Disclosure: Who Actually Controls the UAP Secrets? | w/ Dan Farah | Shane Smith Has Questions
Aza Raskin
Co-founder, Center for Humane Technology; co-founder, Earth Species Project; co-host of Your Undivided Attention
Center for Humane Technology; Earth Species Project
Episode: The AI Dilemma: War, Jobs, Power & Humanity | w/ Aza Raskin

Host

Shane Smith
Host of the show; engages guests across politics, media, and culture with direct, probing questions.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 392 ratings
  • The antidote to the noise

    Shane Smith built VICE by going where other journalists wouldn’t, and he brings that same fearless curiosity here — except now the frontier isn’t a war zone, it’s the information war we’re all living in. Each episode takes something you’ve half-believed, half-doubted, or fully argued about at dinner, and dismantles it with rigor, wit, and refreshingly zero partisan agenda. Smith is a world-class interviewer: disarming, wickedly funny, and genuinely curious instead of performatively outraged. In ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Md713
    United Statesa month ago
  • It’s so great to have Shane grade Vice content again.

    I don’t know if people realize how many incredible stories Vice has broken over the years. They talk about things no one else was willing to touch, and really got to the bottom of the stories. This is a continuation of the kind of content that Shane always brought to the table. Considered, thoughtful, and well researched. I’m glad to see Shane is back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crispymoore
    Canada4 months ago
  • Means well, but doesn’t appear to understand the simple mechanics of good interviewing

    Stop talking Shane. Stop interrupting. Shut up. Ask the question and hear the answer, all of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ship of Mike
    Australia6 months ago
  • Interesting Conversations between hours of ads

    This isn’t a podcast. There is a 1-2 minute ad break every 2 minutes. If you’ve ever wondered why vice failed listen to 10 minutes of this slop. If for some reason you need to watch one of these episodes there is genuinely less ads on YouTube, (only about 20-30% of total watch time instead of 30-40%).

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    <_Jake_>
    Canada10 months ago
  • Shane Smith is the OG of gonzo!

    I have listened to most of the episodes and am a big fan! I’ve loved Vice and really enjoyed the channel and the amazing journalism! Shane is the OG of gonzo journalism! Ali’s the recent episode with Hamliton was so good! I wish he had his own podcast! I will definitely be buying his book! I do wish Shane didn’t cut him off so much as I really wanted to hear a few of those stories more! I love Hamiltons Pharmacopiea and really wish he still had his own show! I have always felt the same way about... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jethro boden
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

A few listeners feel the interview style can be interruptive; follow-ups could be stronger.
A solid mix of critical takes and thoughtful storytelling; compelling for policy buffs.
Celebrates investigative journalism and gonzo-style inquiry; many appreciate candid conversations.
Insightful, well-researched and provocative; fans value tough questions and deep analysis.
Balanced and engaging with strong guests; some ads noted but not overwhelming.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump’s Fight to Control the 2026 Midterms w/ Cisco Aguilar | Shane Smith Has Questions
Q: Why is mail-in voting such a contentious issue?
The guest explains that concerns about mail ballots often stem from political rhetoric rather than evidence, emphasizing that Nevada uses rigorous checks—signature verification, cross-referencing with DMV data, and human review by two party-affiliated observers—to ensure security, while arguing that arguments for broad fraud are often overstated or unfounded.
Ben McKenzie Exposes Crypto’s Biggest Lies | Shane Smith Has Questions
Q: What drew you to make a film about crypto?
McKenzie explains he started with a personal curiosity sparked by friends and then saw red flags and fraud across the space, choosing to document the journey to uncover why people trust and invest in volatile crypto ecosystems.
The Lawsuit That Could Change American Elections | Lawrence Lessig | Shane Smith Has Questions
Q: What would a Maine-style contribution limit mean for the federal system and the future of super PACs?
If Maine's framework were recognized as a legitimate state interest, the federal law limiting independent contributions could be revived, potentially dismantling the current super PAC structure and restoring a system where money is more transparent and less able to influence outcomes.
The Lawsuit That Could Change American Elections | Lawrence Lessig | Shane Smith Has Questions
Q: When does supporting a candidate stop being political participation and start buying influence?
Lessig explains that the distinction hinges on the amount and context of money: direct giving to a candidate is regulated differently from funding a committee that spends independently, and the appearance of corruption grows as contributions rise, even if independent, because donors and candidates can be perceived as exchanging favors.
Ken Burns: "There is No Them. There's Only Us." | Shane Smith Has Questions
Q: What is your view on AI and the future of documentary filmmaking?
Burns expresses cautious optimism about AI's potential to assist research and storytelling but emphasizes the value of human-centered experiences, authentic voices, and direct contact with subjects over fully artificial productions.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shane Smith Has Questions

What is Shane Smith Has Questions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show brings in high-profile guests from journalism, film, politics, technology, and military to dissect misinformation and powerful narratives surrounding current events. Episodes typically center on deep-dive interviews that challenge mainstream perspectives, reveal behind-the-scenes dynamics, and examine the ethical implications of media, policy, and technology. Notable strengths include a willingness to tackle controversial topics through candid conversations with insiders and thinkers, plus a knack for connecting complex issues to human impact. Listeners can expect provocative questions, cross-disciplinary insights, and a willingness to debate with guests who shape public discourse. The format often blends sharp analysis with person... more

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How many episodes of Shane Smith Has Questions are there?

Shane Smith Has Questions launched 2 years ago and published 64 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 Shane Smith Has Questions?

Recent guests on Shane Smith Has Questions include:

1. Cisco Aguilar
2. Adam Mockler
3. Ben McKenzie
4. Tim Miller
5. Sean Penn
6. Gelareh Kiazand
7. Ken Burns
8. Dan Farah

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