Pivot

Latest Episodes:

Big Tech Earnings, Trump Media Stock Plunge, and Guest Margaret Brennan Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss the rise and fall of Trump Media stock, and whether or not it's an accurate predictor for the election. Plus, Biden's "garbage" comments create a headache for Democrats, Trump vows to protect women whether they "like it or not," and is it too late for Harris to go on Joe Rogan's podcast? Then, what the latest earnings from Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft reveal about the AI arms race. Our Friend of Pivot is "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan. Margaret shares what she'll be watching for on Election Day, and why she finds the current information environment so concerning.

Follow Margaret at @margbrennan

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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AI Basics: Why AI Is Not a Job Killer Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott are back with part two of Pivot's special series on the basics of artificial intelligence. How is AI revolutionizing the workplace? And what are the skills workers need to learn to stay ahead? Andrew McAfee, MIT research scientist and co-founder of Workhelix, explains why he doesn't think AI is a job killer, and shares the advice he gives to business leaders about integrating AI into workflows.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Trump's Rally, Bezos Backlash, and Guest Daniel Lubetzky Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

With one week to go until the election, Kara and Scott discuss Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, and the role of Jeff Bezos in The Washington Post's decision not to endorse a presidential candidate. Plus, Michelle Obama sends a message to male voters in what Scott calls "the most powerful speech given in 2024." Then, Elon Musk has reportedly been in contact with Vladimir Putin since 2022, but will the U.S. government take action? Our Friend of Pivot is Daniel Lubetzky, founder of Kind Snacks, and the newest permanent investor on "Shark Tank." Daniel explains how his Builders Movement initiative is trying to hold politicians accountable for toxic polarization, and shares some behind-the-scenes stories from "Shark Tank."

Follow Daniel at @danielubetzky

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Trump & Fascism, Character.AI Sued for Teen Suicide, and Tesla Beats Earnings Expectations Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss Apple scaling back production of Apple Vision Pro headsets, and a mother suing Character.AI, claiming a chatbot encouraged her teenage son to commit suicide. Then, Tesla’s Q3 earnings beat expectations, and Starbucks preliminary quarterly results disappoint yet again. Plus, the podcast election continues with former President Trump going on Joe Rogan, and VP Kamala Harris sitting down with Brené Brown. In more election news, Trump’s former Chief of Staff, John Kelly warns that Trump is a fascist, and the secret big names donating to Harris. Stick around for listener mail to hear Scott’s tips for teaching kids how to negotiate.

Answer this week’s listener poll on Threads here!

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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AI Basics: How and When to Use AI Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott are back in your feeds for a special series on the basics of Artificial Intelligence. What should you use it for? What tools are right for you? And what privacy issues should you watch out for? Kylie Robison, Senior AI Reporter for The Verge, joins Pivot with a primer on how to integrate AI into your life.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Elon's Million Dollar Giveaway, OpenAI and Microsoft Tensions, and Guests Chantal Fernandez and Lauren Sherman Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss Disney's succession plans, and Netflix's latest blockbuster earnings. Then, a new report details tensions between Microsoft and OpenAI. But could the two companies realistically walk away from their partnership? Plus, Donald Trump's closing argument takes a vulgar turn, and Elon Musk's million dollar giveaway faces legal scrutiny. Our Friends of Pivot are Chantal Fernandez from The Cut, and Lauren Sherman from Puck. Chantal and Lauren have teamed up to write the new book, "Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon."

Follow Chantal at @chantalfdez and Lauren at @lapresmidi.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Trump’s Strange Playlist, Kamala on Fox, and Elon’s Robot Fail Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss the latest from the campaign trail: VP Kamala Harris’s potential Joe Rogan appearance, former President Trump’s musical rally, and Elon Musk’s $75 million donation to his pro-Trump Super PAC. Plus, Elon’s big Cybercab reveal, Big Tech's nuclear energy buy-in, and a listener question on financial planning with a parent. Also, answer our listener poll on Threads, here!

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Bill Gates on How to Tax the Rich, AI, Misinformation, & the Election | On With Kara Swisher Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Pivot is off for the holiday! In the meantime, we're bringing you an episode of On With Kara Swisher.

Kara is chatting with Bill Gates, the co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft, and the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bill has been one of the richest people in the world for decades, and he's also spent decades giving away his fortune and working on some of humanity’s most vexing challenges. That’s the focus of his Netflix docuseries What’s Next? The Future with Bill Gates, where he dives into AI, misinformation, global warming, inequality, and disease. Kara pushes him on the issues, his proposed solutions, and the always tricky details — plus, she finds out who Bill wants to win the presidential election.

This interview was recorded in front of a live audience in New York City.

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Google’s Potential Break Up, Hurricane Conspiracies, and Guests Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss the highlights of VP Kamala Harris’s press blitz, TikTok being sued by 14 states, and the much-anticipated Tesla robotaxi event. Plus, the DOJ is considering breaking up Google to address its monopoly power on search. Also, a conversation about the danger of hurricane conspiracy theories. Then, our Friends of Pivot Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner join to talk about their new book, “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.”

You can find Susanne on Threads at @susannecraig, and Russ on X at @russbuettner.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Kamala's Media Blitz, Elon's Giant Leap, and Guest Chris Urmson Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss Kamala Harris's big media blitz, and the podcast (aside from Pivot) that she should really appear on. Then, Elon Musk leapt into the air at Donald Trump's weekend rally in Pennsylvania, and a lot of people had thoughts. Plus, Google is finally facing some real competition when it comes to the $300 billion search advertising business. Our Friend of Pivot is Chris Urmson, founder and CEO of Aurora, a start-up focusing on autonomous trucking. Chris explains how Aurora is getting driverless trucks on the road, and why the technology could be good for the economy.

Follow Chris at @chris_urmson

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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