This episode, we’re tackling three big themes—tech, gifts, and the state of our brains in 2024. Buckle up (or turn on adaptive cruise control)!

🚙 Buy a Car via Text in 2020 vs. Buying a Car with AI in 2025

Remember when buying a car via text felt revolutionary? Fast forward to now: AI tools like ChatGPT are helping us decode trim levels, compare window stickers, and even predict insurance costs. The process might be smarter, but somehow we’re still waiting hours at the dealership. Progress? Kind of.

🎁 Holiday Gift Guides: More Joy, Less Junk

From robot chargers to smart hair tools, our holiday gift guide is packed with fun, tech-forward ideas for everyone on your list. Whether you’re spoiling someone or treating yourself, we’ve got recs to make your holidays feel a little more Jetsons, a little less Flintstones. LINK IS HERE.

🧠 Brain Rot: The Word of the Year That Hits Close to Home

Naming “brain rot” as the Word of the Year is a perfect mix of self-awareness and cultural critique. Whether it’s doomscrolling or meme overload, we’re all guilty of it—but maybe that’s okay? Jenny and Greg unpack why some “brain rot” might actually be necessary for mental health. 

Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠@the.cave.project⁠⁠), and sign up for updates at ⁠⁠thecaveproject.substack.com⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Cave Project, Jenny and Greg Swan dig into the AI dilemma in education: is it a powerful learning tool or just an easy way to cheat? As schools struggle with this digital shake-up, they explore how generative AI is rewriting the rules—from boosting homework help to sparking plagiarism concerns that could impact college dreams. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (⁠@the.cave.project⁠), and sign up for updates at ⁠thecaveproject.substack.com⁠.

From TikTok bans to school cell phone policies, Jenny and Greg Swan break down the chaos and contradictions of raising kids in a tech-driven world—minus the overwrought reactions. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com.

In this episode of The Cave Project, we sit down with stand-up comedian and creative director Matt Keck to chat about the human side behind viral social media phenomena. Known for his witty contributions to the Wendy's Twitter persona and his viral "I'm a Snake" video, Keck shares insights on leveraging humor and social media for global engagement from his home base in Kansas City. Join Jenny and Greg Swan as they explore how Keck's early adoption of platforms like Myspace shaped his career, the psychological impacts of social media fame, and the transition from viral moments to sustainable creative work. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com.

Social media can both connect us and also push us apart. In this live recording of The Cave Project podcast, hosts Jenny and Greg Swan discuss the social media dilemma, its impact on our daily lives, and how we can reclaim our digital spaces with a human-centric approach. Special thanks to Social Media Breakfast for hosting and Skelly Video Productions for capturing audio and photos. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com

We're sorry for your loss. This episode of The Cave Project explores the management of digital legacies, the role of AI in recreating memories of the deceased, and how these advances affect our mourning practices. Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a thought-provoking discussion on the ethical dilemmas and emotional impacts of living and dying in a digital age. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com.

As the first generation to be fully born into the 21st century, Generation Alpha is the most technologically integrated group of humans ever — growing up in a world of advanced digital technology, social media, and artificial intelligence. And they are already getting a bad rap about their digital and social media habits. Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a conversation about who Gen A is, what makes them unique, and some ways we can all make room for them in our crowded digital lifestyle. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com

If 85% of the population uses the internet (and are online an average of 7 hours per day), how is it that we’re still having conversations about whether being online is good for us or not? Instead, let’s talk about how to be extremely online in a healthy way. Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a conversation about 6 filters to consider for your online lifestyle: safety, heart, the space between them and us, reality versus smoke and mirrors, time IRL and (gasp) time spent in the outdoors. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com

Social media marketers can be a paradox. Evangelizing the marketing power of social media during the day and then decrying its negative effects at night. Or even further, restricting their own kids from social media when it’s paying the bills at home. Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a conversation about the social dilemma, how Greg changed his mind about social for kids after having kids, and the need for social media marketers to “walk the talk” when it comes to changing the future of social for the better. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com

Our dumb homes can be smart homes with a few tech purchases, but which are the right ones? Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a conversation about the technology that fuels their home, how Greg “bricked” their smart fridge, how Jenny’s robot vacuum army led to a dog poop fiasco, and how to reconcile surveillance culture with safety when it comes to cameras and microphones in your home. Show notes can be found at gregswan.substack.com, and be sure to subscribe for future episodes!