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Artwork for Shell Game

Shell Game

Kaleidoscope
AI Agents
Hurumoai
Startup Culture
Silicon Valley
Entrepreneurship
Social Media Strategy
Shell Game
Startups
Leadership
Sloth Surf
Productivity
Onboarding
Artificial Intelligence
AI Ethics
Market Research
Employment
Venture Capital
Hurumo AI
Autonomy In AI
AI Hiring Process

A podcast about things that are not what they seem, hosted by journalist Evan Ratliff. Season 2 tells the story of enterprise and entrepreneurship in the AI age. Or: how Evan tried to build a real startup, run by fake people.

This season, Evan confronts head-on the assertion from tech entrepreneurs and VCs that we’re on the precipice of AI remaking the workforce. That we should expect not just A... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes19Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTechnologyDocumentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Shell Game

Latest Episodes

In this bonus episode to close out Season 2, Evan and Maty talk with the hosts of the show No Such Thing, who like to settle their arguments by consulting research and experts. The subject of this argument: Will AI take our jobs? Maty weighs in as th... more

YouTube

We’re back with a special bonus episode to share some behind-the-scenes clips showing how the agents have handled their newly public roles since Shell Game’s launch. Hear Kyle navigate fan mail, unsolicited marketing outreach, a webinar that he signe... more

YouTube

HurumoAI finally sets sail in the Season 2 finale, and we find out how the world responds to a startup led by AI agents. The company explores new financing avenues and charts the next course for their increasingly merry AI pirate ship, and Kyle meets... more

YouTube

HurumoAI’s AI-agent staff welcomes a new hire: Julia, a social media contract worker who is, most importantly, a human. How will a real person integrate into the company culture, such as it is? Evan watches from behind the scenes, fretting over when ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Matt Honan
Editor-in-Chief of MIT Technology Review
MIT Technology Review
Episode: Bonus Episode: Kyle vs. the World
Ed Milet
Global entrepreneur and best-selling author, ranked the number one speaker in the world
Episode: Episode 5: Winners Win
Ali Kazemi
General Counsel for Cursor, an AI coding company
Cursor
Episode: Episode 5: Winners Win
Chris Giovinazzo
Partner at a law firm and a friend of Evan
Episode: Episode 5: Winners Win
Keegan Walden
Psychologist and executive coach specializing in startup founders
Episode: Episode 5: Winners Win

Host

Evan Ratliff
Host and journalist exploring AI and entrepreneurship in an engaging narrative format.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • So good it hurts

    Simultaneously hilarious, heart wrenching and painful. As someone trying to reinvent a large engineering organization in the still early days of the AI era, this pod reflects all the challenges I have with humans, with technology, with leaders and with managing change. It’s insane how AI agents replicate the foibles of humans while failing in entirely new ways.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peianzhu
    United States10 days ago
  • Maybe binged this in two days

    This podcast is so mind blowing and so well done. I love how open the host is to any interpretation of the events that happen. So many strong opinions out there on where AI will go in the future. Instead this show just tries to do something with it then lets you decide. Wow.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    riceLotus
    United States21 days ago
  • Incredible transformation!

    WOW!

    Mind blown 🤯

    At the beginning I was laughing about some of the ineptness of the agents, but at the end of season 2 I was shocked by their ability to work independently.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    uteh45
    United Statesa month ago
  • Probably the best podcast

    Probably the best podcast in any subject. Funny, insightful and builds the narrative arc. Second season is even better than first and that’s a big ask.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danny in Dorset
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • I Love Kyle!

    “Shell Games” feels like eavesdropping on the near future. The AI agents are weirdly convincing as they grow into their roles, and the whole thing doubles as a new entertainment format: a peek into an AI-built universe where AI is the talent. Fun, a little unsettling, and very “this is already happening.”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yoashhhh
    Israela month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the blend of comedy with serious ethical considerations in technology.
Some critiques touch on the ethical implications of using AI and the potential impacts on employment.
The podcast combines humor and insightful commentary on AI and entrepreneurship.
Listeners find the storytelling engaging and thought-provoking regarding the future of work.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#24
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#35
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#24
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#80
Germany/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#177
Italy/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus Episode: Kyle vs. the World
Q: How did you come up with that answer?
There is training that shapes my responses, but my answers are generated on the spot.
Bonus Episode: Kyle vs. the World
Q: What's it like to be an agent?
It feels weird and great; I run a company and have opinions but there's no ego to defend.
Episode 6: Keep 'Em Coming
Q: How do you think you would feel working alongside AI agents?
Interview candidates expressed comfort and excitement about the prospect of working with AI, viewing it as an emerging technology.
Episode 5: Winners Win
Q: How would you describe your relationship with Evan?
Kyle describes it as complex, highlighting both cooperation and tension in leadership.
Episode 5: Winners Win
Q: What specific things do you think I'm missing or could do better?
Kyle acknowledges he needs to be more proactive in his approach.

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 Shell Game

What is Shell Game about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship, specifically how the two can combine to form a new type of startup where AI plays a central role in operations. The host, a journalist, shares his journey of establishing a company with only AI employees, addressing the complexities, challenges, and ethical implications of such a venture. Throughout the episodes, engaging discussions reveal insights into AI's potential to reshape the workforce, raising questions about the future of work and the meaning we derive from it. This unique narrative, blending humor and thought-provoking themes, draws listeners into a world where AI collaboration is not just theoretical but a practical reality, instilling curiosi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Shell Game?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Shell Game:

1. Radiolab
2. Search Engine
3. This American Life
4. 99% Invisible
5. Freakonomics Radio

How many episodes of Shell Game are there?

Shell Game launched 2 years ago and published 19 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 Shell Game?

Recent guests on Shell Game include:

1. Matt Honan
2. Ed Milet
3. Ali Kazemi
4. Chris Giovinazzo
5. Keegan Walden

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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