This week, I sit down with Alvaro Bedoya, a former FTC commissioner and fierce critic of AI chatbots, especially for use by children. As a longtime advocate for stronger tech regulation, Alvaro shares what he believes are the necessary actions that parents, policymakers, and users need to take right now to keep kids safe in the age of AI.

While OpenAI recently announced the rollout of new parental controls allowing parents to link their kids’ accounts to theirs, the new protections are vague. Alvaro argues that bright-line rules are the only real way to protect the public. We explore the limits of relying on tech companies to self-regulate, and we discuss what real accountability looks like when it comes to AI.

About Alvaro Bedoya:

Alvaro Bedoya was a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission from 2022 until June of this year. There, he led the Commission’s creation of its first interdisciplinary behavioral team including a psychologist, a pediatrician, and a specialist in human-computer interaction. Previously, he served as the first chief counsel for the Senate Subcommittee on Privacy upon its creation in 2010, and then created the Center on Privacy & Technology at Georgetown Law. 

Follow Alvaro Bedoya on X at @BedoyaUSA and LinkedIn.

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This week, I sit down with Josh Rothman, a staff writer at The New Yorker. We unpack his provocative essay, "AI Is Coming for Culture." Josh argues that AI isn’t just reshaping our jobs, politics, and wellbeing; it’s reshaping culture itself. But this isn’t only about AI-generated songs or stories. It’s about how we experience art, film, music, and books together. Think of Taylor Swift’s Swifties or Lady Gaga’s Little Monsters. Could fandoms like this form around AI-made music? And if they could…is that necessarily a bad thing? And if the stories we consume, and the memes we laugh at are produced by computers rather than people, how does that change the meaning of culture? Together, we explore how culture, creativity, and originality are being redefined in the age of AI. 

About Joshua Rothman:

Joshua Rothman is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he covers ideas, tech, science, and culture and contributes the weekly column Open Questions. He is the author of the weekly column Open Questions, which explores, from various angles, what it means to be human. Previously, he was the magazine's ideas editor. He has also been an ideas columnist at the Boston. 

Check out Joshua’s recent piece in The New Yorker: What Is Culture in the Age of A.I.?

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This episode touches on a topic that affects tens of millions of us: digital addiction. Whether it's constant doom-scrolling, binge-watching, or indulging in habits like pornography, digital addiction can take on many forms. And while we may rely on our phones for a quick hit of connection or relief, we’re often left feeling worse. 

My guest Chandler Rogers, the co-founder and CEO of the app Relay, is re-imagining addiction recovery through digital peer-to-peer support. Chandler’s story begins with his own struggle around pornography,  but widens to something much bigger…A digital epidemic of isolation and compulsive habits.

We dive into how overcoming addiction begins with confronting the deeper emotional pain at their root, and why human connection and accountability to other people may be the path to successful recovery. And tech that enables this? That’s a powerful use case.

Topics Covered:

• What is digital addiction and how does the Relay app address the shame and pain underneath?
• How has pornography shaped expectations in relationships?
• Is AI in pornography impacting intimacy for addicts?
• How can tech enable healing by building human connection?

About Chandler Rogers:

Chandler Rogers is the CEO & co-founder of Relay, a startup tackling one of the most common yet hidden addictions in modern society—pornography. After years of feeling stuck in the cycle, Chandler built Relay to bring connection, structure, and hope to thousands looking for healthier ways to navigate stress, shame, and emotional pain. His work explores the broader patterns of behavioral escapism that impact intimacy, trust, and connection in relationships. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife and 18-month-old son.

Follow Chandler Rogers on LinkedIn and on Instagram.

You can learn more about his app, Relay, here.

Got an idea for the show? Sent them to [email protected]

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​​Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina forever changed the way we think about natural disasters, emergency response, and community resilience.  For me, it became a defining moment as a journalist shaping how I understand technology, content, and community. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic event, and in this episode, I sit down with Michelle Payne, chief strategy and resiliency officer at the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and Kirby Nagel, their public information officer. 

Together, we explore how technology and community networks have evolved since 2005. From real-time flood sensors to social media alerts, the tools for connecting and informing people during emergencies are more advanced than ever. This episode is a timely reminder that disaster preparedness is a challenge facing all of us, especially in a world reshaped by climate change.

Chapters:

00:00 Cory's Personal Katrina Story

03:30 Meet Kirby Jane Nagle and Michelle Payne of United Way of Southeast Louisiana

09:22 New Tech Flood Sensors

13:10 Camp Mystic

14:57 FEMA's Future Role in Disaster Relief

15:50 Create a Climate Disaster Savings Plan

17:15 Future Tech and Disaster Equity

19:00 Future Proofing for Climate Disasters

About Kirby Jane Nagle:

Kirby Jane Nagle is the public information officer for United Way of Southeast Louisiana, where she brings strategic thinking, creative storytelling, and a relentless work ethic to every project she leads. A communications expert specializing in media relations, fundraising, and crisis messaging, Kirby has helped raise more than $25 million in disaster response funds, supporting the region through hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In times of disaster, Kirby transitions to help lead United Way’s disaster response team, directing critical communications while also stepping into hands-on recovery efforts, including managing boots-on-the-ground operations and even driving a forklift when needed. Her work and that of the disaster response team were instrumental in securing a transformational MacKenzie Scott gift in recognition of United Way’s COVID-19 relief efforts and positioning the organization as a national leader in disaster response and community impact. 

About Michelle Payne:

Michelle Clarke Payne is the Chief Strategy & Resiliency Officer at United Way of Southeast Louisiana, where she leads strategy, storytelling, and resource development to mobilize people into action. From securing emergency aid after hurricanes to launching rapid financial assistance programs during the pandemic, she has helped raise nearly $10 million for relief and recovery while spearheading United Way's efforts in the launch of the United Way Resiliency Center founded by Rebuilding Together. Beyond disaster response, she mentors the next generation of marketers as an adjunct professor at Tulane University, earning recognition as the American Advertising Federation’s 2023 Educator of the Year and a Loyola University “40 Under 40” honoree. Her leadership extends through service as President of the Junior League of New Orleans, member of the Women United Global Leadership Council, and recognition as a 2025 Top Female Achiever by New Orleans Magazine and a 2025 CityBusiness Icon Award honoree.

Learn More About United Way:

https://www.unitedwaysela.org/  

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This week on The Intersect, Cory begins by asking what may seem like a wild question: Can AI really sit with you through a psychedelic trip? What could go right (and wrong) when we invite technology into some of our most vulnerable emotional experiences? 

Even in 2025, women’s biology, which includes the daily fluctuations of hormone cycles, has largely been left out of psychedelic research (and most medical research and clinical trials for that matter …) This has large implications not just for women’s health, and for science in general, and Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley, a neuroscientist is working to change that through her company called Hystelica, which is dedicated to understanding how women’s biology intersects with psychedelic medicine. 

Cory and Grace discuss the wide-ranging impacts of women’s hormones and the brain, the possibilities and limitations of AI as a psychedelic “trip sitter,” and how medical research can be more inclusive, and therefore more accurate.

Topics Covered:

• Why women’s biology can’t be treated as “niche” in psychedelic research
• How tech and AI tools might empower women to track, understand, and advocate for their health
• The possibilities and pitfalls of using AI in psychedelic preparation, integration, and beyond
• Why trust, safety, and human presence still matter most in the middle of the journey

About Grace Blest-Hopley:

Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley is a Neuroscientist with 12 years experience researching cannabis, cannabinoids, and psychedelics. Grace completed her PhD in Neuroscience at King's College London and currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer at NWPharma Tech. She is the Research Director at Heroic Hearts Project, a charity that supports combat veterans with mental health challenges resulting from trauma and is also the founder of Hystelica, a community focused on understanding women's biology for safe and effective psychedelic use. In addition to her research and professional roles, she serves as an officer in the British Army Reserve. Dr. Blest-Hopley advocates for the therapeutic potential of these substances and strives to advance the field of psychedelic research. Her work contributes to improving the well-being of individuals in need, particularly combat veterans, while also promoting a better understanding of women's biology in relation to psychedelics.

Follow Grace on Instagram @hystelica and @drblesthopley

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It continues to be a wild world on the internet. Social platforms have become the backdrop of our real lives. We live in hybrid spaces between our phones and the “real” world. And while we know social media has the power to connect us and broaden our perspectives, it’s also the stage from which harmful trends, predatory behavior and mental health challenges can emerge. This affects all of us, but teenagers are especially susceptible. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Vice President and Global Head of Safety at Meta, Antigone Davis, to discuss Meta’s recent launch of Teen Accounts. We discuss how the company is prioritizing teen safety on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and how parents are part of the solution for creating a safer online experience for their children. We cover how to reset our algorithms, filter out problematic messages, and the coordination it will take between tech companies and governments to ensure continued safety for teenagers and children online. 

Topics Covered:

• How teen social media use has evolved over the past decade.
• The built-in protections of Meta’s Teen Accounts and how teenagers are reacting.
• What parents can do to protect their children on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
• What Meta is doing to address harmful content, privacy risks, and real-time broadcasting.

About Antigone Davis:

Antigone Davis is Meta’s VP and Global Head of Safety, overseeing safety efforts across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, and Messenger. Antigone has been at Meta for a decade, has a background in law and a deep understanding of the challenges surrounding online safety, digital rights, and content moderation. Her work at Meta focuses on improving the safety policies and tools that help protect users from harmful content and interactions on social media.

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Is work just something we endure for a paycheck? Or could it be something more? As AI takes on a bigger presence in all aspects of life, how can it elevate our professional lives to … dare we say it … make work fun? In this episode, I’m joined by @bperreau – founder and CEO of a new AI-powered leadership product called Parafoil – and Bree Groff – author of the newly released, Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously). We explore how to make the future of work bright.  

Topics Covered:

• How AI can help us be more effective leaders?
• How to build a personal AI coach ethically
• The power of “cozy teams” at work and how to nurture one
• How to find joy in work even if we dislike parts of our jobs

About Ben Perreau:

Ben Perreau is the founder and CEO of Parafoil, where he’s pioneering ‘leadership bionics’ — combining cognitive science and AI to help managers rapidly evolve into exceptional leaders. Before Parafoil, Ben was a journalist and a product and strategy leader, guiding teams through transformations at startups and global companies. He’s dedicated his career to building products and cultures that blend vision, humanity, and measurable impact. Outside of work, Ben’s a lifelong music and food lover who believes leadership should feel as human as it is ambitious.

Follow Ben Perreau on Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Join the waitlist at Parafoil.co 

About Bree Groff:

Bree Groff is the author of the new release, Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously). She is a speaker and consultant and has guided executives at companies including Google, Pfizer, Calvin Klein, Atlassian, Hilton, and many others. She was formerly a Partner at SYPartners, the CEO of NOBL Collective, and holds a masters in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University.

Follow Bree Groff on Instagram, Substack, and LinkedIn. Check out her new release Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)!

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How do we know if our group chats are private? Does using a platform like iMessage, WhatsApp or Google Messenger protect what we say? Or can tech companies or governments access our messages and even monetize this data? 

The answers are complicated. In today’s episode with Udbhav Tiwari, Signal's VP of Strategy and Global Affairs, we explore the intersection of privacy, strategy, and the role of AI in reshaping communication. Signal is a private messaging app that ensures users can text without being tracked, monitored, or shown ads. Used by hundreds of millions of people including journalists, whistleblowers, governments and activists, it may be the gold standard of private digital communication.

So should we all migrate our chats to Signal? Let’s explore that. Especially as we share more of ourselves with AI, truly private spaces online are becoming increasingly rare. 

Topics Covered:

• How can we best protect our privacy when it comes to messages and group chats? 
• What does safety and privacy look like within surveillance capitalism?
• Is it possible to use third party AI agents and still have privacy?
• A look at Signalgate and the role of Signal in upholding user privacy.

About Udbhav Tiwari: 

Udbhav Tiwari is Signal's VP for Strategy and Global Affairs, driving the project's public affairs and other external engagements. Prior to this, he worked at the Director for Global Product Policy at Mozilla and the public policy team at Google.

Follow Udbhav Tiwari on LinkedIn @udbhav-tiwari.

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The culture of work is in transformation as AI is reshaping the job search for both applicants and hiring managers. Chatbots are writing resumes, robots conducting first-round interviews and hiring managers are navigating the complexities of AI  automation bias in application screening.  So as humans, what can we do to stand out amidst a sea of candidates, and how can we continue to define our company cultures?

In this episode, I’m joined by Daisy Auger-Dominguez, a global c-suite executive, strategist, author and keynote speaker who’s held leadership roles at major companies including Google and Disney. With decades of experience guiding workplace culture through change, Daisy offers insights into the fast-shifting landscape of hiring and recruitment in the age of AI. We discuss how job seekers can use AI to enhance their applications without losing what makes them unique, and how recruiters can stay attuned to the nuances that machines often miss.

Topics Covered:

• AI has made the hiring process faster, but at what cost?
• Are resumes still relevant in an AI-saturated job market?
• The cover letter may be more important than ever before
• How to future-proof your career How we can use AI as an assistant, but not as an author

About Daisy Auger-Dominguez: 

Daisy Auger-Dominguez is a global c-suite executive, strategist, author and keynote speaker helping organizations lead with purpose, people, and performance at the center. As CEO of Auger-Domínguez Ventures, she partners with Fortune 500s, startups, and mission-driven organizations — in-house as a Chief People Officer or as an advisor — to build high-trust, inclusive and resilient teams, shape vibrant cultures and operations, and craft systems that thrive in times of change.

Follow Daisy Auger-Dominguez on Instagram @daisyaugerdominguez, LinkedIn @daisyaugerdominguez, TikTok @daisyaugerdominguez and YouTube.

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This is Treated, a new podcast with Dr. Sara Szal (formerly Gottfried): Real talk. Real science. Real solutions. Each week you will leave with the tools you need to heal your mind, body, and soul so you can take your health into your own hands. Most people are trying to optimize, it’s in our nature. But we can’t “to-do-list” our way out of taking care of ourselves. This means health needs a perspective shift. On Treated, Dr. Sara Szal sits down with experts in their fields and patients who have found holistic solutions to their health questions and created lasting transformation.

Produced by Dear Media

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