I sat down with Taylor Lorenz to discuss her new book, Extremely Online — the untold story of fame, influence, and power on the internet. Aside from covering some of the most culturally relevant online moments of the past decade, she is the first person to write extensively about the history of social media from the user/creator perspective. Check out all of the other topics we discussed below!

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Chapters

0:00 - Intro

0:35 - Taylor and I’s history

3:55 - Her new book, Extremely Online

6:25 - The early social media landscape

8:31 - Why people didn’t take “online culture” seriously 

10:42 - The ethics of reporting on kids and teens

11:59 - Social media’s turning point

13:20 - Living life online 24/7 

17:02 - Is the physical world the “real world”?

19:40 - Mom bloggers as the first influencers

22:25 - Living in public

24:25 - Oversharing online 

26:32 - What needs to change about social media

27:42 - Forbes’ Top Creators list

28:49 - Tinx’s following vs income 

30:38 - Name, image, likeness (NIL)

35:35 - Setting boundaries with your audience

37:13 - CarynAI 

39:38 - Why we need more ephemerality online

42:53 - Creators getting into politics 

45:21 - Elon Musk

51:00 - Independent (New) media vs Legacy media

53:05 - Tucker Carlson

54:28 - Will independent media’s power continue?

56:14 - Taylor’s most impactful reporting

56:55 - The future of parenting  

59:54 - Her advice for up-and-coming journalists

1:01:12 - Outro

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Purchase the book: https://amzn.to/40aYdvD

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You can find Taylor on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaylorLorenz

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz/

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

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You can also find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesterpak

Substack: https://www.growingdigital.net/

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Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

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Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LqoqQA5cborb7pJsZTftw

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My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

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Business inquiries: [email protected]

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Why show definitions for things that may be obvious to viewers — for example: TikTok?

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(1) For my cute grandparents. But (2) For this video to be as useful as possible, for as long as possible. Platforms come and go, so future generations aren't going to be as acquainted with these things as we are today. "Simple" definitions will end up being useful, historical context come that time.

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FEATURED MEDIA

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ABC Taylor Lorenz interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zkIUR4Z6FI

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MSNBC Taylor Lorenz interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa3zVDRZ8r4

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Semafor Taylor Lorenz interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7gLg0ity3Y

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The Young Turks defend Taylor Lorenz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTiSE8Myj50

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Megyn Kelly and Glenn Greenwald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbSuLbLBbeU

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Tucker Carlson responds to the New York Times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pza9fRxW5WM

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Jake Paul mentioned at the Republican debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-uVLRRIgh0

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Kai Cenat causes mayhem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXpNEQOGjbU

Between Meta’s annual event, the Las Vegas Sphere’s official opening, and certain generative AI creations going viral across platforms — last month revealed a lot about the shift in media we’re about to experience. In this video, I share what to have on your radar to feel prepared. 

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A huge thank you to Back Market for partnering with me on this video. As I do, make them your go-to when considering buying new tech: https://bit.ly/julesterpakxbackmarket

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Chapters

0:00 - Meta’s AI personas

1:21 - This video’s premise

1:38 - Back Market partnership

2:38 - Media and entertainment today

3:38 - Meta Connect intro

3:55 - Ray Ban smart glasses

4:07 - Quest 3

5:28 - The Metaverse isn’t dead

6:33 - Lex Fridman and Mark Zuckerberg interview 

8:06 - My first encounter with AI art  

8:55 - Immersive media is up next

10:00 - The Las Vegas Sphere’s impact

11:33 - Meta’s AI Studio

15:41 - I am not against AI personas

16:10 - How we’ll interact with AI personas

17:54 - Chatting with Billie and Zach 

20:04 - Personalized media (generative AI)

23:24 - Connection simulations

23:41 - Streaming services vs Social media 

25:40 - Extended reality montage

29:52 - Takeaway + outro

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

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You can also find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesterpak

Substack: https://www.growingdigital.net/

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Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

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Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LqoqQA5cborb7pJsZTftw

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My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

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Business inquiries: [email protected]

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FEATURED VIDEOS

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Meta Connect 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dJu9VyIw64

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Lex Fridman and Zuck interview in the Metaverse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVYrJJNdrEg

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Mark Zuckerberg - Forbes Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hbqrnpHN-U

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Mark Zuckerberg - The Verge interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aCg7jH4S1w

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WWDC 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYkq9Rgoj8E

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Harry Potter by Balenciaga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE39q-IKOzA

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24 hours in the Metaverse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtLTZUaMSDQ

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A week in VR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGRY14znFxY

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VR addiction: https://youtu.be/2EiK2mm9uiY?si=g73FAGI0QwUhEySW

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The bitter reality of VR Chat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR1Yj0cFzI4

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John Carmack on JRE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc750bJ373I

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Duncan Russell and Joe Rogan on video game addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybc7LNOitxQ

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Las Vegas Sphere inside look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjALZGztUh4

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What is the MSG Sphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlYczS-u5jA

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Timeline of the Sphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tUeZedIlfo

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The Sphere opens with U2 Residency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEQdArsylN4

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BTS of U2 at The Sphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-SqberQ2d0

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Choose Love official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn6T_ZzBh0Y

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Love is Blind game trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1yLliS6INE

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Kardashians (generative AI): https://twitter.com/amazingmomo_/status/1708218289069965508

Before the company's 'Future of Audiobooks' event, I sat down with Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek to discuss the company's new pursuit within Audiobooks, as well as how he's thinking about artificial intelligence and competition with Big Tech.

I sat down with fellow Digital Natives and co-chairs of Design It For Us, Zamaan Qureshi and Emma Lembke, to discuss the current state of social media legislation regarding kids and teens. 

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Chapters

0:00 - Intro

0:27 - The relationship between social media and youth

2:43 - The current state of social media legislation

04:00 - Meet Zamaan and Emma

5:49 - What is nDesign It For Us?

06:43 - Legislation they support vs oppose

09:04 - Why leaders should listen to Digital Natives

10:36 - Experience of growing up online

12:20 - Reflecting on the past decade 

16:37 - Parent vs government regulation

18:37 - Why minors and not everyone, yet?

21:32 - Will legislation ruin online freedom?

23:02 - The social media and tobacco comparison

24:02 - Supporting legislation as a social media lover

27:03 - Emma testifying before Congress 

30:30 - Tackling AI, mixed reality, and social media 

33:17 - Considering how China is mitigating screen addiction

38:13 - Protecting minors featured in guardians’ content 

39:35 - Balancing the physical and digital

41:20 - Outro and takeaways

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

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Find me everywhere: https://julesterpak.net/

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Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@julesterpak

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My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

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Business inquiries: [email protected]

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Interviewees:

https://twitter.com/zamaan_qureshi

https://twitter.com/emmalembke

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Learn more about their work: https://designitforus.org/

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Legislation mentioned: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0h9toUvFndAoyuAAASWMVfPyFteqD2D2ko5uU3PVlI/edit

Dillon Danis is exploiting Nina Agdal’s digital footprint. This is not just something the fiancé of one of today’s biggest entertainers will deal with — because anyone with an online presence is at risk. In this video, I discuss how we should shift our mindsets toward digital footprints and those who capitalize on them, as well as the attention economy and creators/influencers further merging with traditional entertainment.

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Chapters

0:00 - Intro

1:26 - The fight

1:51 - Who Dillon Danis is

2:15 - Who Logan Paul is

3:05 - History between the two

4:06 - The current situation 

5:35 - Relationship privacy 

06:21 - Logan’s POV on social media

07:19 - Exploitation of digital footprints 

08:49 - Tech awareness

09:34 - The impact of photos and videos

10:28 - How documentation has evolved

11:44 - Establishing boundaries with digital footprints

13:09 - Is Dillon just sharing “the truth”?

13:38 - Taylor Swift take the mic  

14:42 - Dillon’s contradiction 

15:03 - My takeaway

15:35 - The modern entertainment landscape

16:59 - Closing remarks

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

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You can also find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesterpak

Substack: https://www.growingdigital.net/

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 

Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

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Watch or listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z_p6J8QptKQ?si=8YFvp1ANfB9FvJjp

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My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

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Business inquiries: [email protected]

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FEATURED VIDEOS

[See YouTube description]

I’ll keep talking about it until I’m blue in the face. Stop posting people without their consent — strangers, peers, friends, family, whoever. Doing so has become far too normal with the rise of smartphones, social media, and recommendation algorithms.

With that being said, hiding the guys’ faces wasn’t necessary because they decided to post the clarification videos themselves. But I wanted to because it felt like the only reason they posted was due to a loss of agency over their identity/reputation.

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Under Elon Musk’s leadership, Twitter has officially rebranded as X. The company is now on its quest to become an “everything app” aka a super-app — just like every other social media company more silently is. 

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In this video, we discuss what we can learn from China’s fascinating social media landscape, if a super-app will ever be successful in the United States, if Twitter’s ‘X’ rebrand makes sense, what else Elon is getting right vs wrong, and a lot of other good stuff.

Chapters

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P.S. I forgot to add a quick screenshot of the X/Twitter CEO’s recent blog post about everything X/Twitter has done in the past nine months, but here it is: https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2023/building-the-future-of-x

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

 ‎  ‎ ‎ ‎ 

You can also find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesterpak

Substack: https://www.growingdigital.net/

 ‎ 

Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

 ‎ ‎ ‎ 

Watch or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LqoqQA5cborb7pJsZTftw

 ‎ ‎ ‎ 

My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

 ‎ ‎ ‎ 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

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FEATURED VIDEOS 

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Here’s how essential WeChat is to everyday life in China: https://youtu.be/GXNszFai28Q

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What is a super app and why haven’t they gone global: https://youtu.be/cLANTiDd8Ok

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The most popular social media apps in China: https://youtu.be/POtzFlqeo8I

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This is how social media works in China: https://youtu.be/aZNmN_KTbkU

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A tour of WeChat — China’s super-app: https://youtu.be/6qWgT6GbwjI

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Elon rebrands Twitter in global banking play: https://youtu.be/_RwVIaCq7fw

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Elon Musk on free speech, Neuralink, and the future of humanity: https://youtu.be/pjc_oo4ApSY

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The Babylon Bee talks with Elon Musk at Twitter HQ: https://youtu.be/NHaczOsMQ20

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BlackBerry CEO: https://youtu.be/JTm3nGLDK1o

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Paris Hilton on Jimmy Fallon: https://youtu.be/5zi12wrh5So

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Elon Musk’s work ethic will give you goosebumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H4z1g-eHyU

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Elon Musk has too much work on his plate: https://youtu.be/u_TwPhmFZ8E

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Elon Musk says, “You don’t want to be me”: https://youtu.be/vN23g3r3SJg

Meta is set to launch Threads this week and there's a ton of discourse around if it can truly compete with Twitter. In this video, I discuss the demographic they’d have to win over.

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Chapters0:00 - What we know about Threads1:53 - What we're doing here 2:28 - Has Twitter ever had competition?3:24 - The reality of successful platforms6:13 - Threads' big opportunity10:54 - "The Twitter pipeline" 12:01 - Teen users and celebrities13:33 - Yes, this demographic does like text15:16 - Come on Twitter16:39 - Closing remarks

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

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You can also find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesterpak

Substack: https://www.growingdigital.net/

‎ ‎ 

Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

‎ ‎ 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5xB34JSXNSc

‎ ‎ 

My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

‎ ‎ 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

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FEATURED VIDEOS 

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Lex Fridman and Mark Zuckerberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff4fRgnuFgQ&t=4520s

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Twitter Founders on Musk’s Tumultuous Takeover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKia5QUiGkE

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Featured TikTok about wanting another app: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8e7ojnH/

Reflecting on how social media has transformed connection and identity, as well as where Zuckerberg and other tech leaders’ heads are at regarding the future of social tech. No conclusion -- just considerations to make us think bigger.

Exploring the current state of romantic chatbots, loneliness, parasocial relationships, and the digital SW industry. Simply context to consider -- form your own opinions. 

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Chapters

0:00 - The rundown on CarynAI

03:04 - How parasocial relationships are evolving

05:39 - The loneliness market

08:47 - In conversation with My AI about ethics

09:44 - Possible effects on consumers (personal theories / speculation)

13:10 - Creators, consider this 

14:46 - The romantic/suggestive/sexual digital market

17:30 - Responsibility of both businesses and consumers

18:16 - Conclusion

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Intro animation by Black Book Studio: https://www.blackbook.studio/

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You can also find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julesterpak

Substack: https://www.growingdigital.net/

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Join for dialogue and opportunities: https://discord.gg/8ueURBRvc7

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My production gear: https://amzn.to/3OFWWJv

Descript’s Studio Sound effect: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=BBhwWA

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Business inquiries: [email protected]

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FEATURED VIDEOS

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An Eye-Opening Conversation with Podcast Legend Tim Ferriss (Colin and Samir): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROymrQKsxSM 

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How AI companions can help solve loneliness (Replika CEO Interview): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L03qEy2wU14

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The story of Replika: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQGqMVuAk04

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New technology creates AI romantic partners for users (NBC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V_wZK_QYmI

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Influencer’s AI clone will be your girlfriend for $1 (The View): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17gDWHTU5Xo

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Influencer making bank by creating AI version of herself (TYT): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRNHrXSYGRI

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Your New AI Girlfriend (Philip DeFranco): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzfxubCGSWE

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The Reality of OnlyFans (Brett Cooper): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xp1WPPYQ-0

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OnlyFans ruined my life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv9WWDtJs7A

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Piers Morgan interviews OnlyFans star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srno7EfC4nU

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Lana Rhoades regrets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewhQXq5Drs0

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Sky Bri on leaving the adult industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apQ6xAfDn14

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Riley Reid Q&A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip_KqCX2Lsc