Best Coup D Podcasts (2025)

1
Politics and Power Post-Automation (with David Duvenaud) 1:30:42

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2h ago1:30:42

1:30:42

David Duvenaud is an associate professor at the University of Toronto. He recently organised the workshop on ‘Post-AGI Civilizational Equilibria’, and he is a co-author of ‘Gradual Disempowerment’. He recently finished an extended sabbatical on the Alignment Science team at Anthropic. To see all Forethought’s published research, visit forethought.o…

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Candace Owens is Not Your Friend 1:33:07

2d ago1:33:07

1:33:07

Candace Owens and her conspiracy theories are propelling her to the top of the podcast charts, and Erin and Alyssa are here to remind you of her ultra-conservative, racist, and wildly problematic past. They also dive into Trump’s dangerous “Autism Announcement,” how Kentucky’s 50/50 custody law is harming women and children, and the Department of E…

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Miles Jupp on JL Carr, author of A Month in the Country 27:28

2d ago27:28

27:28

"I find his novels extraordinarily beautiful .. and they're an excellent length." Miles Jupp picks an author he loves, but knows little about. JL Carr was born in Yorkshire and was a teacher, mapmaker, and an eccentric. Joining the comedian in studio to discuss Carr is a man who knew him well - DJ Taylor - who paints a picture of a man who hated Lo…

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The War on They 1:27:17

9d ago1:27:17

1:27:17

One week after the death of Charlie Kirk, Erin and Alyssa discuss how the media, elected officials, and FBI Director Kash Patel have (mis)handled the ongoing investigation. They also catch up on the latest Epstein files news, Proposition 50 in California, and New Mexico’s unprecedented new childcare initiative. Then they discuss the thorny taboos a…

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[Article] AI Tools for Existential Security 27:34

7d ago27:34

27:34

This is a narration of ‘AI Tools for Existential Security’ by Lizka Vaintrob and Owen Cotton-Barratt; published 14th March 2025. Narration by Perrin Walker (@perrinjwalker).

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Helen Castor on Richard II 27:37

9d ago27:37

27:37

Today's great life is possibly more famous as a Shakespearean character - King Richard II who was deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke in 1399. He's been chosen by historian Helen Castor, author of The Eagle and the Hart, who shines a light on what really happened towards the end of his reign. Also helping is Professor Emma Smith who explains wh…

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Is The MAGA Movement a Cult? How to Become a Tyrant. Radical Nationalistic Devotion: The “Charismatic Leadership” of Trump & the Cult Following He’s Created with MAGA. Can the Country Ever Recover from ... 1:12:27

15d ago1:12:27

1:12:27

Welcome to this brand-new episode of Light ‘Em Up! We’ve had our cake and ate it too (and it was delicious) celebrating achieving our 100th episode! Now it is time to get back to work. Thank you to all of our previous guests, listeners and fans who contacted us, sharing warm, caring and nice thoughts about the show. We are truly here for you and be…

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Zero F*cks Harris w. Errin Haines 1:16:42

16d ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Editor at large of The 19th* News, Errin Haines, joins to discuss the unexpected candor of Kamala Harris’ upcoming book, the latest consequences of RFK Jr.'s quackery, and the upcoming WNBA playoffs. They wrap up in the Sanity corner with a celebration of pumpkin spice latte season, the Stud Budz, and E. Jean Carroll’s latest win in court. For a cl…

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Is Gradual Disempowerment Inevitable? (with Raymond Douglas) 1:45:20

15d ago1:45:20

1:45:20

Raymond Douglas is a researcher focused on the societal effects of AI. In this episode, we discuss Gradual Disempowerment. To see all our published research, visit forethought.org/research. To subscribe to our newsletter, visit forethought.org/subscribe.

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DJ Deb Grant on John Prine 26:51

16d ago26:51

26:51

DJ Deb Grant picks US mailman turned country-folk singer John Prine, whose beautiful songs captured the world in which he lived. Bob Harris, who first met him on the Old Grey Whistle Test, adds to the conversation. "I came to know him through him speaking about his own music - it's his character, his personality and his attitude that I fell for," s…

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[Article] Intelsat as a Model for International AGI Governance 55:07

18d ago55:07

55:07

This is a narration of ‘Intelsat as a Model for International AGI Governance’ by Will MacAskill and Rose Hadshar; published 13th March 2025. Narration by Perrin Walker (@perrinjwalker).

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This F*cking Guy: Nancy Mace 43:22

23d ago43:22

43:22

Introducing our hit YouTube series This F*cking Guy to our podcast feed! Each episode, Erin and Alyssa pick one of America's worst people and catch you up to speed on the messes they've made, dig into their horrible pasts and expose what losers and clowns they really are. Think of it as half history, less than half roast, with a hearty sprinkling o…

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[Article] Will AI R&D Automation Cause a Software Intelligence Explosion? 1:50:40

24d ago1:50:40

1:50:40

This is a narration of ‘Will AI R&D Automation Cause a Software Intelligence Explosion?’ by Daniel Eth and Tom Davidson; published 26th March 2025. Narration by Perrin Walker (@perrinjwalker).

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Should AI Agents Obey Human Laws? (with Cullen O'Keefe) 1:23:54

27d ago1:23:54

1:23:54

Cullen O'Keefe is Director of Research at the Institute for Law & AI. In this episode, we discuss 'Law-Following AI: designing AI agents to obey human laws'. To see all our published research, visit forethought.org/research. To subscribe to our newsletter, visit forethought.org/subscribe.

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Wifely Submission (Taylor’s Version) w. Megan Gailey & Evan Kleiman 1:37:04

1M ago1:37:04

1:37:04

Taylor Swift is engaged, Trump is tormenting the Federal Reserve, Texas Republicans are trying to mandate Christian teachings in public schools, and Erin Ryan and guest-host Megan Gailey are here to talk about it. Then they unpack how the debate of what spaces should be child-free might just be anti-women. Next, KCRW’s Evan Kleiman joins to discuss…

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[Article] AI-Enabled Coups: How a Small Group Could Use AI to Seize Power 2:09:32

29d ago2:09:32

2:09:32

This is a narration of ‘AI-Enabled Coups: How a Small Group Could Use AI to Seize Power’ by Tom Davidson, Lukas Finnveden, and Rose Hadshar; published 16th April 2025. Narration by Perrin Walker (@perrinjwalker).

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Pro-Life & Pro-Death Penalty: Hypocrisy & Hypoxia. How Does One Reconcile These Polar Opposites? An In-depth Examination of the Pelican State of Louisiana. 1:03:04

1M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Welcome! We’re thrilled and excited that you joined us as we celebrate an enormous milestone — our 100th episode of Light ‘Em Up. This achievement has been 5 years in the making and something we honestly never envisioned accomplishing when we started this project in January of 2020. Email us here, [email protected] and let us know how …

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Trolls, Lies, & Hunting Wives w. Katie Lowes 1:24:59

1M ago1:24:59

1:24:59

The Hunting Wives star Katie Lowes joins to give the scoop on Netflix’s latest soapy sapphic mystery, her friendship with Shonda Rhimes, and learning to shoot a gun on set. Erin and Alyssa also discuss Melania’s pathetic attempt at diplomacy, Gavin Newsom’s Trump-trolling social media blitz, and why women are leaving the workplace. They also sound …

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How Can We Prevent AI-Enabled Coups? (with Tom Davidson) 2:13:50

1M ago2:13:50

2:13:50

Tom Davidson is a Senior Research Fellow at Forethought. In this episode, he discusses concrete mitigations against AI-enabled coups. Listen to Tom's appearance on the 80,000 Hours podcast here, and read the original paper here. To see all our published research, visit forethought.org/research.

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Ifs, Ands, and Butts w. Samantha Irby 1:37:01

1M ago1:37:01

1:37:01

And Just Like That writer and producer Samantha Irby joins to discuss the final season, the internet backlash, and what she really thinks about Aidan. Erin and Alyssa also dish on Pete Hegseth's praises for his bigoted pastor, Donald Trump’s messy takeover of DC’s police, and how school choice is ruining education funding in Arizona. They wrap with…

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Do Mess with Texas w. NY Gov. Kathy Hochul 1:32:08

2M ago1:32:08

1:32:08

This week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stood with the Texas Democrats in their fight against corrupt Republican gerrymandering. Today, she joins Hysteria to talk about fighting fire with fire, her own redistricting plans for New York, and how her state is handling Trump 2.0. Erin and Alyssa also discuss Trump’s atrocious plans to build a White H…

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Should We Aim for Flourishing Over Mere Survival? (with Will MacAskill) 2:54:24

2M ago2:54:24

2:54:24

Will MacAskill discusses his new research series ‘Better Futures’. To see all our published research, visit forethought.org/research.

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Unmasking America: Birthright Citizenship, Mass Deportation & the Cost of Exclusion. The 14th Amendment on Trial, Citizenship Under Siege. The Use of the Executive Order to Bypass the Constitution ... 1:05:08

2M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

We welcome you to this in-depth, investigative, fact-finding episode of Light ‘Em Up. Thank you for joining us — as we march one step closer to achieving an enormous milestone, our 100th episode! In this episode we are diving into complex and impactful topics. We’ll drill down on the concept of Birthright Citizenship — enshrined by the 14th Amendme…

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Beyoncé Has Better Jeans w. Akilah Hughes 1:30:20

2M ago1:30:20

1:30:20

America’s got a long and shameful history with eugenics, and, while history doesn’t repeat itself, it rhymes. As white supremacist ideology permeates everything from Silicon Valley startups to domestic policy in 2025, is it really that far-fetched to notice it in that American Eagle “good jeans” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney? This week, Akilah Hughes…

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Coup d’ Vance w. Bridget Read 1:44:15

2M ago1:44:15

1:44:15

JD Vance meets with Rupert Murdoch shortly before the bombshell Wall Street Journal piece on Trump’s letter to Epstein, Trump’s swollen ankles raise new questions about his health, Andrew Tate is accused, yet again, of assault, and Coldplay concerts are ground zero for cheating. Then Erin and Alyssa find some sanity in Indigo Girls concerts and pod…

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MAGA Revolt w. E. Jean Carroll 1:26:31

2M ago1:26:31

1:26:31

E. Jean Carroll joins to dish on beating Trump in court, what it was like to go camping with Fran Lebowitz, and how to give the best advice. Erin and Alyssa also round up the latest Epstein files insanity, Elon Musk and Greg Abbott's “intimate” emails, and the future of student loans. Then they take a trip to the sanity corner to discuss Lena Dunha…

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Detained & Damaged: Kids, Cash & the Trump Immigration Machine. A dumpster fire of greed, cruelty & cowardice: The human cost of the relentless, xenophobic attacks on immigrants. Do Trump's policies actually ... 59:59

3M ago59:59

59:59

As we rapidly approach another enormous milestone — our 100th episode (currently #98) we’ve e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d our global footprint to 131 countries. ONLY through your unyielding support could this achievement have been realized. Thank you! Immigration is a “3rd rail” hot topic in the U.S. The issues of immigration decided the ’24 presidential electio…

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Modern Baby-Snatchers w. T.J. Raphael 1:37:23

3M ago1:37:23

1:37:23

After the devastating floods in central Texas, Erin and Alyssa reflect on the tragic loss of life, what went wrong, and what it means to “politicize a tragedy.” Then, journalist T.J. Raphael joins for a discussion about her new podcast Liberty Lost, a heart-wrenching investigation into the dystopian birthing home run out of Liberty University. They…

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AI Rights for Human Safety (with Peter Salib and Simon Goldstein) 1:53:37

3M ago1:53:37

1:53:37

Peter Salib is an assistant professor of law at the University of Houston, and Simon Goldstein is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Hong Kong. We discuss their paper ‘AI Rights for Human Safety’. To see all our published research, visit forethought.org/research.

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Sir Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana 27:43

3M ago27:43

27:43

Seretse Khama was born in 1921 in Bechuanaland when it was still a British Protectorate. In 1966 he became Botswana's first president. In between he married a white Londoner, Ruth Williamson, was exiled by the British, and made to renounce his interest in succeeding as head of the Bangwato. It's an extraordinary and notable life, and he's been nomi…

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Sounds Like Feminism w. Chelsea Clinton 1:42:01

3M ago1:42:01

1:42:01

Chelsea Clinton joins Hysteria to discuss health advocacy in the MAHA era and the state of reproductive healthcare under Trump 2.0. Erin and Alyssa also get into the latest on Charlie Kirk’s misogynistic agenda, the tacky Bezos/Sanchez Venetian wedding, and whether doomsday preppers are onto something. For a closed-captioned version of this episode…

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Emily Williamson, co-founder of the RSPB 27:32

3M ago27:32

27:32

For over a hundred years no one thought too much about the origins of the RSPB, but among its founders was a woman in Didsbury opposed to the use of feathers in fashionable hats. Emily Williamson was outraged by the widespread slaughter of egrets and the crested grebe. She had tried to join the all-male British Ornithological Union, and when that f…

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Uncharted Waters, Unprecedented Times: Will Your Hard-won Civil Liberties be Lost? The Trump DOJ Green-lights Police Brutality. The Push to Pardon George Floyd's Killer. Will America's Experiment in ... 1:11:05

3M ago1:11:05

1:11:05

Welcome to this educational and explosive, brand-new edition of Light ‘Em Up! Share us with a friend! We are now being actively downloaded in 131 countries! We continue our intense focus on how the Rule of law and democracy are being endangered. Democracy hangs in the balance and is under constant daily attack — threatened on every front. What bett…

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America Needs You w. MN Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan 1:25:24

3M ago1:25:24

1:25:24

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Peggy Flanagan joins Hysteria to share about the tragic shootings in her state and honor the legacy of her friend and colleague, State Representative Melissa Hortman. Erin and Alyssa also discuss the latest on RFK Jr.'s vaccine quakery, new (bad) discrimination rules in VA hospitals, and their skepticism of Amy Cone…

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Tina Turner 27:43

3M ago27:43

27:43

Rock Icon Tina Turner proposed by the actress and author Rebecca Humphries. Tina Turner began life as Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, joining Ike Turner's band in St Louis at the age of 17. Her presence, her performances and her voice captivated audiences, but this is really a story of triumph over abuse. After she left Ike Turner with noth…

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Inference Scaling, AI Agents, and Moratoria (with Toby Ord) 2:55:10

3M ago2:55:10

2:55:10

Toby Ord is a Senior Researcher at Oxford University. We discuss the ‘scaling paradox’, inference scaling and its implications, ways to interpret trends in the length of tasks AI agents can complete, and some unpublished thoughts on lessons from scientific moratoria for the development of AGI. To see all our published research, visit forethought.or…