No Opt-Out

By Conrad Schwellnus & Verena Bryan

Two fast friends explore living in harmony with tech, one transatlantic phone call at a time. With a touch of nostalgia, Conrad and Verena blend the old and new, using analogue forms of communicati

... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about No Opt-Out:

How many episodes does No Opt-Out have?

The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.

No Opt-Out episodes:

June 20, 2025 S03E08: Open Mic Night for AI
Season finale energy kicks in as Conrad shares he’s (hopefully) becoming a dog dad to a rescue called Enzo. Verena offers survival tips from her years of pet parenting and explains why she’ll never have or invest in a Robodog. The duo reflects on reaching their 24th recorded hour together (a full day, how?!) and explores how building a friendship online compares to doing so in person. Season 3 wraps with a final reminder to keep using our actual brains as much as possible in the “comedy show” of AI integration into society.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 4min
June 20, 2025 S03E07: Where Do You Waste Time?
They did what? Verena and Conrad get reflective in the penultimate episode of the season, break the fourth wall by talking about the pod for the first time (!!), and revisit how the show and their friendship have grown. They also talk about dog (and human) SSRIs, visa wins, and the incomparable Kevin the dog. Community has long been a hot topic on the show, but have they built one by accident just by showing up for these calls each week?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 3min
June 20, 2025 S03E06: This Does Not Have to Be Perfect
Verena and Conrad question what future tools should *actually* do for us. It’s clear they’re less drawn to sleek features and more interested in how technology might offer real support, particularly in healthcare and transportation. This leads to a pivot into teleportation fantasies, pink garage drama and an appreciation shout-out for typos on handwritten notes (as seen often in their pen pal letters). As the title suggests, this does not have to be perfect.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 6min
June 20, 2025 S03E05: The More We Automate, The Less We Think
Conrad and Verena catch up after a week of contrasts: a job change with some spontaneous travel on one side, and tech frustrations and airport security checks on the other. The conversation shifts from childhood phone numbers to old usernames, from Sims escapism to philosophical questions about AI companionship, therapy and healthy disagreements. Expect a reflection on friendship too, along with a discussion on building community without needing to be flashy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 11min
May 02, 2025 S03E04: Sink or Swim Digital Literacy
Conrad and Verena dive into the modern concert experience after the former admits he spent more time watching the screen than the actual performer at a show he attended recently. They also discuss disposable cameras (#throwback), the new book by the Facebook whistleblower (and its supposed scammer/gen AI copies), delve into AI literacy while pondering who might hear this conversation in 100 years, and question whether AI can lead to a more enjoyable human experience in the long run. As usual, there are plenty of rabbit holes along the way. The first half of season three wraps up with a new tagline for ChatGPT that Sam Altman should consider.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 6min
May 02, 2025 S03E03: Back to Ethics in the Wild West
Phew! Talk about a rollercoaster of an episode. Verena and Conrad get philosophical to the point that he brings up “Tech-crates” and “AI-ristotle”. The conversation covers the state of ethical tech as we approach 1,000 days since generative AI went mainstream, being the “service dogs” of society, 100-year-olds living their best tech life with packed email inboxes, and a tender moment where both share a core negative self-belief. Verena playfully ponders not calling Conrad back next week because of his.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 3min
May 02, 2025 S03E02: More Human Stuff Please
If you are intrigued by the phrase, "It doesn't sound that bad to be a ghost shark," this episode is for you. Conrad and Verena show just how much their friendship has grown over the last two years by discussing a little bit of everything and nothing all at the same time, shooting the breeze, having a laugh, and trying to avoid too much doomsday prepping. The episode ends on a heartwarming note, showcasing what is so needed in the world right now: more human-to-human connection.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 12min
May 02, 2025 S03E01: The Boring Factor
Conrad and Verena are back for a new series of calls in a world that feels even more chaotic than when they spoke last time. Verena kicks things off with a lovely surprise, digital literacy is a hot topic once more, and there is much debate about the state of generative AI. Could such a fresh-faced technology have already committed the cardinal sin of anything on the societal hype train: be boring? There is a lot to unpack in this one, including banter about pigeons, cookie-cutter houses, a carefully curated cooking show, car names, and more. Conrad and Verena are not holding back this season on the digital dish and the laughs. Are you ready?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 9min
October 11, 2024 S02E08: See You in the Treehouse
In the final episode of the season, Conrad and Verena do a deep dive into building their dream digital hangout, which they’re calling The Treehouse. It’s not just about setting up another online space—it’s about creating a community where quality time, shared experiences, and a sense of integrating (and constantly re-integrating) comes first.

As they sketch out their vision, the duo turns nostalgic, sharing stories about family, ways to preserve memories, and what it means to feel truly connected. But it’s not all serious—they’re crafting a digital home built on friendship and fun after all. Expect lots of laughs and more signs of a fast-growing friendship between the two.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h
October 11, 2024 S02E07: Reimagining Digital Community
In this episode, Verena gives Conrad a surprise update: she’s accidentally become a dog mum somehow! A mystery pup showed up in her neighbourhood, so now she’s navigating social media like a pro (well, sort of) to find him a new home if needed. Spoiler: He’s “nutty”. Sorta. Quite literally.

Conrad dives into his recent No Tech Retreat, where boredom lead to poetry and—gasp—fun. They also brainstorm what makes digital communities tick, dream of being digital mayors of the Global North and South, and ask the big question: could a reimagined digital community change the game?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 8min

FAQs about No Opt-Out:

How many episodes does No Opt-Out have?

The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.