Stay ConnectedWhat is technology doing to you?
Civilian podcast producer Alia Tavakolian has always felt like a dumb tech consumer.
Veteran tech-journalist Bob Sullivan has spent his life showing people they’re not dumb tech consumers – they’re being hacked.
Each week, Bob and Alia join forces to answer your questions and untangle your sanity from this dark, scary world wide web.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Hey hey! We've got a new mystery podcast we think you'll love - UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT. Alia & Bob both worked on this one, and you'll even hear Bob's voice in it, too!
You can binge the whole series right now - follow UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any of the podcast places.
In 1996, Sue Knight was found dead in her Athens, TX, home. Her will named a loose acquaintance as the executor of her estate, but after an alleged phone call from the CIA and a dire warning from the local sheriff, the executor stopped asking questions. More than 25 years later, Sue’s memory haunts the town of Athens and the people who knew her. Who was Sue, really? Why did this English expat settle in small-town Texas? And could she still be alive?
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%In the final installment of our data broker project, Duke students Carter Forinash and Jake Satisky talk about what it took to remove all of Keith Reynold's information from the web.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%In a decade, the world will look pretty bleak if nothing is done to put some guardrails around invasive technologies. What rules, what innovations, might save us from this dark future?
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141
Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%What does it feel like to be watched? What if you aren't even aware you've been spotted in the first place?
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141
Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%We know why privacy matters, but we all have this vague sense like it’s slowly being taken away from us. So, the irresistible question is, what might the future look like if our privacy is gone completely?
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141
Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%It's the last check-in for awhile and Bob and Alia have poems, a song and some words of encouragement for you.
The song you heard today was River of Happiness, by the one and only Dolly Parton.
If you have any good things to share, don't hesitate to message us on Twitter @SoBobPod, email us at sobob@spokemedia.io, or call us at 253-470-8398. We love hearing from you.
It's Thursday. Let's think about some good things.
Things we reference in this episode:
-If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); they also have a live chat option
-Dolly Parton is reading us bedtime stories!
-We talked with Rachel Gibson, from The National Network to End Domestic Violence
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Time to take your daily dose of Bob and Alia.
Things we reference in this episode:
-If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at1-800-799-SAFE (7233); they also have a live chat option
-Be on the look out for our miniseries, No Place to Hide, dropping next Monday!
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Just a couple of good things for ya on a Tuesday.
Things we referenced in this episode:
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%This is your reminder to call someone you love and check in on them.
Things we reference in this episode:
-If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); they also have a live chat option
-Psychology Today is a great place to search for a therapist
-Apps like Talkspace and Better Help are great resources for virtual therapy as well
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%It's Friday and it's time for (you guessed it) your daily dose of good news from Bob and Alia.
Things we referenced in today's episode:
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Checking in with some very good things.
Things we mentioned in this episode:
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%We've got some silver linings (and exploding kittens) for ya today.
Things we referenced in this episode:
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%It's Tuesday and time for some good news.
Things we referenced in today's episode:
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Happy Monday. Bob and Alia have some good things to brighten your morning. Spoiler alert: it involves Lizzo.
Now, listen to the Meditation Remix
Lastly, wave to your local grocer, truck driver, or mailman today.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%A couple good things for you on a Friday. Featuring So, Bob Story Editor and all around Good Human Carson McCain.
Things we reference in this episode:
-Sir Patrick Stewart Reading Sonnets on Instagram
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Some days are hard. But here's a silver lining for ya.
Things we referenced in this episode:
-Snohomish Fire Department Teaching Kids Math and Science
-Clint McElroy is Reading One Chapter of The Hobbit Everyday
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Get ready for some good things.
Things we referenced in today's episode:
-Story Time From Space
-Random acts of kindness!
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%It's Tuesday. Time to check in and dance it out.
Things we reference in this episode:
-Ryan Heffington's Dance Class on IG Live (seriously, do it - it's giving us all LIFE)
-You can Venmo Ryan @Ryan-Heffington
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Good Morning. It's your daily silver lining.
Things we referenced in today's episode:
Song: Soltane Ghlabha (there is also this more modern version by Persian superstars Leila Forouhar & Aref)
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Hey, you. Bob and Alia are here to tell you something good.
Things we referenced in today's episode:
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Hear that? It's the sound of some good news.
Things we referenced in today's ep:
-Lemons!
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%How are you? Alia calls Bob to find out and share something good.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%We know privacy means life or death to some people. We know that corporations and congress have sat back and done next to nothing to address privacy. So, what can be done now that we’re here?
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%People have been worrying about privacy for decades, even before the Internet. So...where did we go wrong?
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Privacy isn’t a luxury. For some a threat to privacy can be a matter of life or death.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141
Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%What are the implications of going cashless? Is this a good thing or a bad thing, or a little bit of both? Bob and Alia talk to Gartner research analyst Avivah Litan to find some answers.
Curious to learn more about a cashless future? Go to https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ for more info.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Do VPNs protect our security and privacy like they all claim? What are they anyway? Bob answers this question in our final minisode of the season! Thanks to David in Quebec for asking today's question.
Curious to learn more about VPNs? Visit https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ for more info.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Is the renaissance of tabletop games in part thanks to tech? Can Dungeons and Dragons actually teach me how to be a better human? Join Alia as she joins a band of thieves in her very first D&D campaign.
This week’s guests are journalist and author Mary Pilon and Dungeon Master Victoria Rogers of The Broadswords.
Dying to know more about today's ep? Head to https://bobsullivan.net/sobob/
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Should I go all-in on one tech company, knowing that it has all of my data? Or is it more wise to diversify the companies I give my information to? Bob tackles this confusing question on today's minisode. Thanks to Tyler in Shawnee, Kansas for sending in today's question.
Want to learn more about this topic? Check out https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Does texting actually have the ability to make us closer? Has the dating landscape changed now that we are introducing tech into the mix? Bob and Alia find out with the help of Love Letters host Meredith Goldstein and therapist Aida Manduley.
Curious about today's episode? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Smart Homes: Good or Bad? Will we be able to settle the debate once and for all? A listener is concerned about whether or not Amazon Echo is actually listening to all of her private conversations. Thanks to Alison in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania for this week's question!
Curious about today's topic? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%How does tech affect our happiness? Can it help us achieve it? In a special interview episode, join Alia, Bob, and author Gretchen Rubin on a journey about happiness, the four tendencies, and how you can use tech to your advantage.
Curious about today's topic? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%When we left off with Bob and Alia in season 1, they were wondering about the seemingly bleak state of technology. Is tech really all bad? Are there any answers to our burning questions? In Season 2, they set off to find some reasonable hope in the world of tech (even if it’s just a little). Join us for season 2 of So, Bob, where Alia and Bob find some of the brighter corners of technology, alongside the dim ones. Coming October 7.
Also, stay tuned for a special miniseries sponsored by Intel on the state of privacy today. What have we gotten right? What have we gotten wrong? And what can we do to change it?
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%What happens when our personal photos and videos are used without our consent? When are our photos no longer ours?
Our guests this episode are Eva Galperin and Mary Pilon.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
At what point does targeting cross the line from useful to creepy? Isn’t it weird that ads nowadays seem to know you better than you know you?
Our guest this episode is Jules Polonetsky.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%Why does Google Maps ask me to have my WiFi enabled to improve location accuracy? Thanks to Maggie in D.C. for today’s question.
Go here and see a map of where you've been and when -- on Google.
Feel weird about what Google knows about your location? Go to this page and manage your location history.
Want to see all the WiFi networks near you? Visit WiGLE.netWe mentioned that Google has gotten in hot water in the past over the way Wi-Fi and the Street View part of its mapping product. Here's one story about it.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Has technology ruined our ability to focus? Will we ever be able to get that back?
Our guest this episode is journalist and author Annie Murphy Paul.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Password managers are a great solution to remembering 100+ passwords, but are they actually safe? What makes a good password anyway? This week’s question comes from a listener on Twitter.
Here are the new definitive NIST guidelines on passwords.
Bruce Schneier explains this here.
Ok, so just how secure are password managers? Pretty secure, but not perfect.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Is my ability to work from anywhere actually hindering me? How much does overwork affect my wellbeing?
Our guest this episode is author Brigid Schulte.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Should I be boycotting smart meters? A listener asks an important question about a piece of tech that most of us didn’t know was tracking us. Thanks to Brian in Lansing for this week’s question.
Last year, a federal court ruled that consumers retain their expectation of privacy around smart meter data.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation's legal argument in the case can be found here.
Info on what smart meters actually collect can be found here.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
What happens when an app records you in your sleep? And then tells you to pay to hear recordings? Is that like, legal?? Alia and Bob search for answers.
Our guest this episode is privacy lawyer Sinzi Gutiu.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Is the internet ruining our lives? But what about puppy pics and Twitter friends and immediate access to information?! For the very first episode of So, Bob, Alia and Bob tackle the world’s easiest question: is the internet good or bad?
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
Coming May 6: Bob & Alia join forces to answer your questions and untangle your sanity from this dark, scary world wide web. So, Bob is a safe, welcome space for understanding what technology is doing to you. We’ll be dropping episodes weekly starting May 6. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing!
Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
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