The 2025 Sundance Film Festival starts today, and if you don’t have tickets or tons of money to spend, we’ve got you. Former staffers Emily Samore and host Ali Vallarta share insider tips for accessing screenings, spotting celebs, and taking advantage of the fest as a local.

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Introducing Bret Taylor on conversational AI, voice, and agents from Possible.

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What new kinds of jobs will AI bring that we never could have imagined before? 

In this special two-part episode, Reid and Aria explore this question and more with Sierra co-founder and OpenAI chairperson Bret Taylor. Part one features audio from Bret's onstage interview at the 2024 Masters of Scale Summit, where he shared his insights on the voice revolution in AI, the technology’s latest role as a phone customer service agent, and the groundbreaking business opportunities still waiting to be explored in the AI space. Reid and Aria invited Bret to continue the conversation in part two, diving deeper into how AI might reshape our workforce, create new career opportunities, and spark industries we haven’t yet imagined. With leadership experience at both startups (Quip and Friendfeed) and large tech companies (Facebook, Salesforce, and Twitter), Bret is uniquely positioned to track and seize opportunities in the quickly-developing AI industry.

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Topics:

00:57 - Episode introduction

02:02 - What Bret sees in AI

06:00 - Most exciting upcoming AI breakthrough

08:40 - The three main areas of AI innovation

09:41 - What is the AI voice revolution?

14:07 - First steps in AI customer service

18:15 - Role of entrepreneurs in AI development

22:52 - Parenting and AI

27:48 - Understanding AI inflection points

31:28 - AI as the new dot com market

34:21 - Is the AI market already full?

37:50 - More on the AI voice revolution

45:06 - Predicting how AI will change the world

53:57 - What people are missing about AI

58:29 - Superagency opportunities

1:00:14 - Rapid-fire Questions

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Freezing temps, inversion, and ski pass prices make it hard to get off the couch this winter. But there are lots of ways to move your body and lift your spirits while we wait for spring to arrive. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria share a few ideas for beating the winter blues, from cheap class deals to local social clubs and indoor pickleball.

Do the “Whale to Wales” 5K, and check out local runners’ tips for hitting the pavement.

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Introducing #1685 Faux Populism and Neoliberalism: Working People Are Stuck Between Oligarchy and Disregard from Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy.

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Air Date 1/21/2025

Decades ago, the conscious decision was made to exacerbate inequality for the sake of economic growth that would supposedly lift all boats. What probably wasn't understood at the time is that the logical conclusion of that choice would be to break democracy and usher in oligarchy. Now working people are left with only bad choices and empty promises.

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Full Show Notes | Transcript

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Workers Without a Party - Confronting Capitalism - Air Date 12-11-24

KP 2: Democrats Bungled The 2024 Election WAY Worse Than We Thought - The Majority Report - Air Date 1-8-25

KP 3: The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order (with Gary Gerstle) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 1-14-25

KP 4: How Democrats Can Win Back The Working Class - Lever Time - Air Date 11-8-24

KP 5: Why Elites Love Identity Politics - Confronting Capitalism - Air Date 1-1-25

KP 6: The failures of liberals and the Left have helped Trump's rise - The Marc Steiner Show - Air Date 10-30-24

KP 7: Democratic Dealignment w Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor - The Dig - Air Date 11-9-24

KP 8: Why Elites Love Identity Politics Part 2 - Confronting Capitalism - Air Date 1-1-25

(54:01) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the path Democrats have charted

DEEPER DIVES

(1:02:38) SECTION A: PARTY RECKONING

(1:23:40) SECTION B: NEOLIBERAL STRANGLEHOLD

(1:39:24) SECTION C: CROSSED WIRES

(2:08:27) SECTION D: SOLUTIONS

SHOW IMAGE

Description: Composite image of multi-colored people outlines crossing over each other with arrows in the background pointing two different directions.

Credit: Composite design by A. Hoffman, Images from Pixabay | License: Pixabay

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Utah’s sex education syllabus was given a D- grade by a national sexual health council. So, what does good sex ed look like? Ocean Candler, a Colorado-based sexual health expert, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about ways to discuss sexual health at home or at school, from porn to pleasure and everything in between. 

Here are some resources for parents and adults: 

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Introducing How People Treat You Differently After Weight Loss | The Oprah Podcast from The Oprah Podcast.

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In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah continues her conversation with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, about the anti-obesity GLP-1 medications that are changing the world of weight loss. Oprah and Dr. Ania talk about what happens to a person’s mental health, body image and how the world treats them after losing a significant amount of weight. Joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman, assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Oprah and Dr. Ania speak to people using the GLP-1 medications like long-time Harpo producer, Brian Piotrowicz, who reveals how people treat him differently now that he’s lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. Several other guests from across the country also share how their lives have changed after GLP-1 weight loss including a woman who lost over 160 pounds. Finally, we will get an update from several guests that appeared on the ABC Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution including high school student Maggie who lost over 100 pounds.

For more information on Dr. Rachel Goldman

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Watch Part 1 Here.

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled a 50-page public safety plan responding to the state’s threat of intervention. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means breakdown the highlights and their big takeaways. Plus, Crumbl deodorant, a clean slate opportunity, and National Popcorn Day. 

Resources and references:

Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 

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Introducing Why DEI Scares Trump and Project 2025 and Why It Should from Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams.

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is being weaponized by Donald Trump and Project 2025 and right-wing activists. That's because DEI has been around since the start of the country, opening doors of opportunity for millions of Americans, correcting past wrongs, and, crucially, benefiting everyone. In this episode, Stacey Abrams speaks with Kenji Yoshino, director of NYU’s Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and a constitutional law professor, about why we should clearly define, defend, and expand DEI. They explain who is covered, counter the misinformation about how DEI works, and advocate for DEI as a necessary tool for the future for the country.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

Learn & Do More:

• Sign up for updates from American Pride Rises at aprnetwork.org
• Find risk assessment resources from the Meltzer Center at advancingdei.meltzercenter.org
• Check out Nicholas Confessore’s thorough reporting on DEI opposition for The New York Times

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

It’s host Ali Vallarta’s birthday! In the spirit of celebrating, executive producer Emily Means and Ali assembled a guide to the free stuff you can get around town on your birthday. Plus, creative ideas for affordable celebrations at all ages and stages.

Enjoy Ali’s friend Renee’s spreadsheet of Salt Lake Birthday Freebies.

This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.

Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

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Introducing Finding Holiday Happiness from How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality.

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The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy. But all too often, the darker, colder days of winter, and even the stress of preparing for the holidays themselves, can lead people to feel something else: rushed, stressed, lonely, or even hopeless. How can you make sure this year is bright? Science shows that there's a wisdom to parts of traditional winter celebrations – a wisdom that's been honed over centuries to help us all find light, joy, and connection during the darkest and coldest time of the year. 

Join Dave as he chats with Laurie Santos about how to unpack the psychological secrets of celebrations from Christmas, to Hanukkah, to Yule, and more. They’ll also discuss how we can put that wisdom into practice, whatever our beliefs, to make this season a happier and healthier one for all.

Laurie Santos hosts the podcast The Happiness Lab and is a Professor of Psychology at Yale, where she teaches the most popular class in the university’s history. Learn more about her work at her website. 

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].