This week, Heather sits down with nationally renowned tech journalist Taylor Lorenz to discuss her bestselling book, Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet. Taylor, one of the earliest and most consequential reporters on the social media beat, catalogs the sociological story of the internet starting with how “mommy bloggers” changed the social landscape. Taylor helps us explore the world of content creation, how social power has usurped the gatekeepers, and why influencers are here to stay. She also shares a few of her favorite faith-based digital creators.

In this episode Heather is also joined by her best friend and co-blogger, Scarlett Longstreet, for a spirited Safe Space conversation inspired by Taylor’s book. Heather and Scarlett discuss why the term influencer has always made them feel uncomfortable. Is it about ego, or is it about misogyny?

Guest Bio

Taylor Lorenz is a technology columnist for The Washington Post’s business section covering online culture and the content creator industry. She was previously a technology reporter for The New York Times business section, The Atlantic, and The Daily Beast. Her writing has appeared in New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Outside, and more. She frequently appears on NBC, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and the BBC. She was a 2019 Knight Visiting Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and is a former affiliate at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. She lives in Los Angeles, and you can follow her @TaylorLorenz on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Extremely Online is Taylor’s first book.

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I’ll See You Tomorrow and It’s Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Additional Links

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Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

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