The Best Tech Podcasts

L.A. has the worst traffic in the world. Since I’m spending most of my days on its bumpy roads, I decided to turn this unpleasant experience into something beneficial. This is how my tech podcasts’ addiction started. 
They make the traffic problem bearable and help me keep my finger on the pulse of the tech industry. Win-Win. Now, I’m gladly sharing my recommendations with you.
* It is in NO particular order. I love them all.
Recode Decode
Description: Recode’s Kara Swisher hosts candid interviews with tech execs, politicians, celebrities, and more about their big ideas and how they’re changing our world.
Fascinating episode: “Anna Wiener: The dark side of the tech industry’s seductive culture.”
Warning label: You’ll wonder how Kara manages to do so much in one day while you’re just listening to one of her trillion in-depth interviews.
* In 2019, Recode Decode won the “Adweek Podcast of the Year” Award. Well-deserved. The queen Kara paved the way for all the others in the Vox kingdom and beyond.
Pivot
Description: With great power comes great scrutiny. Recode’s Kara Swisher and NYU Prof. Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the way technology is shaping business and culture across media, advertising, politics, and more.
Fascinating episode: “Gloves off over privacy, from Apple to Microsoft to Grindr. PLUS Scott’s big 2020 bets.”
Warning label: You’ll start describing actions as a “Gangsta move!”
Reset
Description: Every story is a tech story. We live in a world where algorithms drive our interests, scientists are re-engineering our food supply, and a robot may be your next boss. Vox’s Arielle Duhaime-Ross explores why - and how - tech is changing everything.
Fascinating episode: “The Airbnb Scam.” Interviews with Mike Isaac and Allie Conti.
Label warning: You’ll start saying bye to friends using “Later, Nerds.”
Land of the Giants
Description: In less than two decades, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos scaled an online marketplace for books into the world’s most valuable company. But at what cost? The podcast addresses Amazon’s rise to power with detailed, thought-provoking, measured reporting from host Jason Del Rey . This show offers never-before-told, behind-the-scenes stories for the Amazon-obsessed. * Season 2 would focus on Netflix - Can’t wait.
Fascinating episode: “Is Amazon Too Big? We Ask Its Sellers.”
Warning label: You’ll feel less good about yourself the next time you’ll order something using Amazon’s one-day delivery.
First Contact
Description: Laurie Segall hosts a weekly podcast series that explores the people and technology that are changing what it means to be human. First Contact brings listeners engaging and thought-provoking interviews with some of the biggest names in tech in ways we can all relate to.
Fascinating episode: “Ex-Facebook Security Chief Speaks Out on Russia & Spies in Silicon Valley.” An interview with Alex Stamos.
Warning label: You’ll start thinking about your first contact with the people around you.
TechDirt
Description: The Techdirt Podcast, hosted by Mike Masnick . Each episode begins with an essay, followed by a discussion, covering topic areas that are less news-driven and instead more about larger ideas/concepts that we think are worth discussing.
Fascinating episode: “The Past & Future of Section 230.” An interview with Prof. Jeff Kosseff.
Warning label: There are ways to make tech dirt-free. You’ll just need the right shovel.
The Information’s 411
Description: A weekly podcast by The Information, a subscription tech news site doing deep dives and investigative looks at the tech and media industries. Each episode highlights some of the major happenings in tech business world. It’s interviews, analysis, and wrap-ups to help give you insights into what the biggest companies in the industry are thinking. Host: Tom Dotan .
Fascinating episode: From all of the serious episodes, I decided to choose the funniest one: “Finding Humanity in (HBO’s) Silicon Valley.” An interview with Thomas Middleditch and Zach Woods, about the most hilarious (and sadly accurate) show about Silicon Valley.
Warning label: The rest of the coverage from “The Information” requires a subscription. Their reporting is always unique and important, but it’s your choice, of course.
Bonus: Five more episodes
From Business Casual : “All Nerds Not Welcome: Why Tech’s Diversity Problem Matters.” An interview by Kinsey Grant (Morning Brew Newsletter) with Reshma Saujani (Girls Who Code).
From This Week in Google : “Our Best of 2019.” Leo Laporte , Jeff Jarvis & Stacey Higginbotham are debating while presenting opposite perspectives on various tech stories.
From TED Talks Technology : “What obligation do social media platforms have to the greater good? | Eli Pariser .
From The Daily : “The End of Privacy as We Know It?” An interview by Annie Brown with Kashmir Hill, the technology reporter for The New York Times, about her Clearview-AI expose.
From Today Explained : “Shaken like a polarized picture.” An interview by Sean Rameswaram with Ezra Klein. Most of this podcast’s episodes are not really into tech, but they are incredibly informative. What can I say? Voxknows how to produce great podcasts.
Give them a listen and thank me later. If you have any additional recommendations, please do share.