Rephonic
Artwork for "Upstream"

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

Erik Torenberg
China
Student Activism
Communist Party Of China
Feminism
Marxism
Law
Chinese Universities
American Universities
Technocracy
Cultural Revolution
Fertility Crisis
Crypto
Anonymity
Freedom Of Speech
Sam Altman
Openai
Doxxing
Power Structures
Effective Accelerationism
Embryo Screening

You’ll hear consequential ideas here first, and in the mainstream months later. Upstream is a curated nexus feed from the Turpentine podcast network, bringing you expert-level conversations hosted by some of the most compelling thinkers in the world including Noah Smith, Samo Burja, Byrne Hobart, Erik Torenberg, and Nathan Labenz. Guests include Marc Andreessen, Balaji Srinivasan, Dario Amodei, Br... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes144Founded3 years ago
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Tech NewsTechnologyNews

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Artwork for "Upstream"

Latest Episodes

Today on Upstream, we’re sharing Erik Torenberg conversation with Samo Burja where they discuss the Bronze Age collapse, technological advancements in ancient civilizations, and the nuanced history of the Roman Empire, along with a detailed analysis ... more

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Today on Upstream, we’re sharing Erik Torenberg conversation with Samo Burja on this week’s Live Players. They discuss the potential industrial revolutions in history, particularly in the Roman Empire and Song Dynasty China, their technological advan... more

This week, we’re featuring a panel discussion from the 2025 Hill and Valley Forum with Josh Wolfe (Lux Capital), Senator Jack Reed (RI), and Qasar Younis, Founder and CEO, Applied Intuition They address talent attraction and retention, China's espion... more

YouTube

Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, and Congressman Richie Torres discuss higher education, Palantir's fearless culture, and the importance of contrarianism in driving innovation at the 2024 Hill and Valley Forum.

📰 Be notified early when T... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Senator Jack Reed
U.S. Senator from Rhode Island
U.S. Senate
Episode: E139: America’s Tech Strategy w/ Qasar Younis, Sen. Jack Reed, and Josh Wolfe
Josh Wolfe
Founder and managing partner at Lux Capital
Lux Capital
Episode: E139: America’s Tech Strategy w/ Qasar Younis, Sen. Jack Reed, and Josh Wolfe
Helen Toner
Director of Strategy and Foundational Research Grants at CSET
CSET
Episode: E137: AI Safety vs Speed: Helen Toner Discusses OpenAI Board Experience, Regulatory Approaches, and Military AI [The Cognitive Revolution]
Lyn Alden
An investment strategist known for her blend of engineering, technology, and finance expertise.
Episode: E135: The Problem With Reserve Currencies and Switching to Crypto w/ Lyn Alden [From the Archives]
Rob Henderson
Author and expert on evolutionary psychology
Episode: E129: Dark Triad, Romantic Partner Selection, and Dating Advice w/ Rob Henderson
Jon Askonas
Assistant Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of America.
Foundation for American Innovation
Episode: E127: The Tech Right and How The Left Can Fix Itself w/ Jon Askonas
Arnold Brooks
Philosophy professor at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: E124: How to Have A Philosophical Marriage w/ Agnes Callard and Arnold Brooks
Katherine Dee
Dating advice expert and cultural commentator
None mentioned
Episode: E109: Dating & Relationships Deep Dive w/ Noah Smith and Katherine Dee (Default Friend)
Tae Kim
Author of 'The NVIDIA Way'
N/A
Episode: E106: The Man Who Wrote the Book on NVIDIA

Host

Erik Torenberg
Host with a focus on technology and economic discussions, often driving conversations with thought-provoking questions.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 205 ratings
  • Stop interviewing Samo Burja

    He has had one moderately interesting thought.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NYC skeptical enthusiast
    United States7 months ago
  • Misthrm

    Nyt jo joka toisessa Turpentinen podissa tarjolla Curtis Yarvinia, eli melko sakeaksi mennyt :D

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    herpdrp
    Finland8 months ago
  • Srinivasan

    A decent podcast apart from the appearances of Srinivasan. The guy might as well have been scripted by Ayn Rand. His basic line: Tech CEOs are the Masters of the Universe, the only real “leaders” out there (or at least the best models for all leaders). The conceit produces a risibly shallow perspective on history and politics. In short, the worst kind of pseudo-intellectual: a windbag who doesn’t know just how much he doesn’t know.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    poutine queen
    Canadaa year ago
  • Good content when you can get it

    I like a lot of these Turpentine shows but am finding that they’re increasingly old interviews, reposts or cross posts of shows

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Thiigff
    United Statesa year ago
  • thoughtful, talent-dense interviews

    quality of guests on this show are phenomenal. each episode is a banger!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    oppie12345
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

There are concerns about over-reliance on certain guests and the recurrence of topics.
Listeners appreciate the quality of guests and the depth of conversations.
Overall, many find the podcast to be insightful and engaging, with strong content.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#169
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#204
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#186
Russia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#242
Netherlands/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E139: America’s Tech Strategy w/ Qasar Younis, Sen. Jack Reed, and Josh Wolfe
Q: What is industry's role in technology and defense?
It's about making the best technology and letting it win in the marketplace, while recognizing the risk of adversaries using that technology.
E139: America’s Tech Strategy w/ Qasar Younis, Sen. Jack Reed, and Josh Wolfe
Q: How are you attracting talent? How are you retaining them?
We have lots of immigrants at the company, and that is the strength of our company.
E136: Trump V2: Tariffs, American Dynamism, Higher Ed | Byrne Hobart
Q: Will we see a blue-collar economic recovery for white-collar jobs?
It's possible that advances in automation and AI may shift white-collar jobs towards gig-based work, mirroring changes in the blue-collar sector.
E136: Trump V2: Tariffs, American Dynamism, Higher Ed | Byrne Hobart
Q: What is the state of higher education today?
Harvard's financial position seems stable due to its significant endowment and ability to attract elite students, in contrast to other institutions that may face more challenges.
E134: Atheism’s Decline, Consciousness, and The New Right w/ Ross Douthat
Q: Why this book, and why now?
Douthat argues that we are experiencing a cultural moment where the secularization that began decades ago seems to be plateauing, with individuals showing curiosity towards spirituality and religion.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About "Upstream"

What is "Upstream" about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content revolves around critical discussions surrounding economic policies, technology, and historical perspectives. Topics such as the geopolitical landscape of China, AI advancements, and the implications of dual-use technologies are frequently explored. The podcast also examines cultural trends, institutional critiques, and the societal impacts of technological advancements, showcasing diverse insights from a range of expert guests. These conversations aim to reveal implications for contemporary society while offering listeners access to transformative ideas that challenge conventional thinking.

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To see how many followers or subscribers "Upstream" has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to "Upstream"?

These podcasts share a similar audience with "Upstream":

1. Dwarkesh Podcast
2. Conversations with Tyler
3. The Ben & Marc Show
4. a16z Podcast
5. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

How many episodes of "Upstream" are there?

"Upstream" launched 3 years ago and published 144 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 "Upstream"?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for "Upstream"?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for "Upstream" from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on "Upstream"?

Recent guests on "Upstream" include:

1. Senator Jack Reed
2. Josh Wolfe
3. Helen Toner
4. Lyn Alden
5. Rob Henderson
6. Jon Askonas
7. Arnold Brooks
8. Katherine Dee

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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