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 | 62 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | News | |||
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Latest Episodes
Last week I watched what may be the Big Tobacco moment for social media unfold in real time.
The trial against Meta in Los Angeles is the first of an estimated 1,600 cases making a specific argument: that Section 230 doesn't protect a platform that... more
In the grand tradition of presidential addresses, I stand here — well, no, I’m sitting, actually —to tell you exactly how things are going. Unlike those addresses, I do not tell you things are going great. I borrowed the format — the gallery anecdote... more
For the first time in his life, Mark Zuckerberg will answer questions under oath — not to a Senate subcommittee where politicians perform for their clips, but to a jury of regular people whose only job is to decide whether he's telling the truth. Thi... more
A 20-year-old woman started using YouTube at age six and Instagram at age nine. She's now suing both companies, and her case has just become the most important tech trial since the DOJ went after Microsoft in 1998. Here's what's actually at stake — a... more
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Reviews
- [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 Podcasts4pointmatic
United States13 days 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 States16 days 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 States19 days ago - A journalist to trust
Jacob Ward is top of my list for trusted voices. He’s stays on top of what’s happening in the world of tech and what it means to citizens and business.
Apple Podcasts5SmartyPantsEngineerUnited States3 months ago - Smart and Curious
I was introduced to Jacob Ward during his appearances on the TWIT network and I was impressed not only by his intelligence but also his openness and curiosity. His opinions felt well-informed but, more importantly, he engaged with other guests to understand and explore their opinions -- a trait that is becoming increasingly rare among journalists. After listening to a few episodes of The Rip Current podcast, it is now on my "don't miss an episode list." Well done, Mr. Ward.
Apple Podcasts5BillnobesUnited States4 months ago
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #162 |  Norway/News |
Apple Podcasts | #216 |  Ireland/News |
Apple Podcasts | #217 |  South Africa/News |
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
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| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
| Household Income | Social Media Reach | ||||
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Which podcasts are similar to The Rip Current?
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1. Deadline: White House
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3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Uncanny Valley | WIRED
5. Radio Atlantic
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The Rip Current launched a year ago and published 62 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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