The Rip Current with Jacob Ward
Jacob WardThe Rip Current covers the big, invisible forces carrying us out to sea, from tech to politics to greed to beauty to culture to human weirdness. The currents are strong, but with a little practice we can learn to spot them from the beach, and get across them safely. Veteran journalist Jacob Ward has covered technology, science and business for NBC News, CNN, PBS, and Al Jazeera. He's written for T... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 77 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | News | |||
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Latest Episodes
The New Yorker dropped a year-and-a-half investigation into Sam Altman this week — and it answers a lot of questions I've had since November 2023, when his board fired him and then reinstated him in 72 hours. Reporters Andrew Marantz and Ronan Farrow... more
The social media addiction verdicts in Los Angeles and New Mexico aren’t just legal milestones — they’re the first time a jury has been allowed to see what these companies knew and when they knew it. The internal documents revealed in discovery are d... more
A Los Angeles jury just found Meta and YouTube liable for addicting a child.A few hours before it happened, I interviewed Nita Farahany, author of The Battle for Your Brain and one of the sharpest thinkers on cognitive liberty and platform accountabi... more
A Los Angeles jury found both Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive platforms that harmed a young woman's mental health — $3 million in compensatory damages, with punitive damages still to come. It came one day after a New Mexico jury order... more
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Reviews
- Love it!
This podcast is extremely informative. Jacob clearly knows what he is talking about and can present it in an easy to understand way. Love it!
Apple Podcasts5Hahahahahahahahahaeeeee
United Statesa month ago - Insightful
Stumbled upon the state of the union and liked it
Apple Podcasts5n33s
Norway2 months ago - [revised] Some great, some lacking, still listening
REVISED: I just listened to the “Tobacco Moment” piece (Feb 2026) and was intrigued how Jacob threaded the needle of a controversial topic with a gentle editorial slant, an objective, authoritative source, high relevance to current news, no political left/right dogma barking, and a cohesive story that left me feeling informed, educated, and provoked to evaluate my stance—that’s great! ORIGINAL:Just listened to the Davos piece “…high school reunion…” episode. Ward blasts out a bunch of observable... more
Apple Podcasts4pointmaticUnited States2 months ago - Thoughtful and intelligent work
This guy is always interesting, always thoroughly researched, and really knows what he’s talking about. He offers a thoughtful take on a lot of the stuff going on in sometimes a deeper way than you’re comfortable looking at! Give it a listen
Apple Podcasts5tommy stretch whaleboyUnited States2 months ago - Surprising and Worthwhile
I don’t listen to The Rip Current (or any other podcast) regularly, but I dip in when a topic particularly interests me. Whenever I do, I’m glad.
Jacob Ward brings curiosity, humor, intelligence, humility, and heart to his podcasts. He’s every bit as good as the general-interest podcasters who are better-known.
Apple Podcasts5pspinradUnited States2 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #181 |  South Korea/News |
Apple Podcasts | #191 |  India/News |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rip Current
What is The Rip Current about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A distinctive blend of journalism and storytelling is woven through discussions on critical issues ranging from technology and politics to broader cultural themes. The insights shared are aimed at unpacking the forces that shape contemporary society, especially the implications of social media and tech firms on mental health and privacy. With a focus on exploring topics often overlooked, the conversations tend to challenge listeners to reflect on their own views and the societal dynamics at play. This approach not only elevates issues of corporate accountability and automation but also invites expert opinions, making it a rich resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of modern complexities.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Rip Current?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Rip Current. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Rip Current and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Rip Current get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Rip Current?
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How many subscribers and views does The Rip Current have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Rip Current?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rip Current:
1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
3. Radio Atlantic
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show
How many episodes of The Rip Current are there?
The Rip Current launched a year ago and published 77 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 The Rip Current?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rip Current?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Rip Current from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Rip Current?
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What guests have appeared on The Rip Current?
Recent guests on The Rip Current include:
1. Raúl Torrez
2. Sam Liccardo
3. Azar Raskin
4. Taylor Lorenz
5. Dario Amodei
6. Mahzarin Banaji
7. Sacha Haworth
8. Michael Bolden
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.