Best Virtual Homework Podcasts (2025)

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Alice Bucknell on How Virtual Spaces Help Us Cope With Reality 32:42

Play Pause

1d ago32:42

32:42

When wildfire engulfed much of Los Angeles earlier this year, artist and game designer Alice Bucknell found themselves stuck inside, replaying “Firewatch,” a quiet game about exploring the wilderness in anticipation of an impending wildfire. It helped them process emotions that felt too overwhelming in real life. “Firewatch,” and other games like i…

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A Political Reckoning for Twitch? 35:12

10d ago35:12

35:12

TwitchCon, Twitch’s annual convention in San Diego for all things streaming and gaming, is facing heightened scrutiny after streamer Emiru was assaulted there during a meet-and-greet. The incident occurred after a series of streamers pulled out of the event over safety concerns and the growing specter of political violence. All of this has highligh…

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Satanic Panic in the Age of the Internet 31:20

15d ago31:20

31:20

What do colorful and plush Labubu dolls have in common with Mesopotamian mythology? If you believe some viral TikToks, everything. Recent conspiracy theories have linked the toys to everything from ancient demonic spirits to Satan worship. But behind those ideas flooding online feeds is something older and darker: the return of moral panic. In this…

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Beyond the AI Hype Machine 38:33

22d ago38:33

38:33

When ChatGPT launched in 2022, it kicked off what some have called the “AI hype machine” — a frenzy of promotion and investment that has sent some tech companies’ valuations soaring to record heights. Meanwhile, computational linguist Emily M. Bender and AI researcher and sociologist Alex Hanna have proudly worn the titles of “AI hype busters,” cri…

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The All-Seeing Eyes of Modern Dating 29:38

29d ago29:38

29:38

What happens to dating when every misstep has the potential to go viral? That’s what happened in 2022, when social media posts warning about a few bad dates with a man named “West Elm Caleb” blew up on TikTok in 2022, and became a cautionary tale on the culture of public shaming. In this episode, Morgan speaks with tech journalist Tanya Chen and cu…

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In Search of Thock: The Quest for the Perfect Keyboard 33:10

1M ago33:10

33:10

“Clacky,” “Poppy,” and "Thocky" may sound like the latest cereal elves, but they’re actually terms to describe the sounds of typing on a mechanical keyboard. What started as a niche hobby blew up during the pandemic, with a huge influx of creators posting tutorials, reviews, and soothing ASMR videos on social media. Many hobbyists are so enthusiast…

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AI Prophets and Spiritual Delusions 30:17

2M ago30:17

30:17

AI delusions, chatbot psychosis, AI-induced religious mania… The phenomenon goes by many names, but the common thread is the same: someone starts talking to an AI chatbot, the conversation turns spiritual, and then they seem to lose touch with reality. In this episode, we’re exploring how AI and religion are colliding like never before — from bibli…

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Groypers, Doxxing and Charlie Kirk’s Death as a S***post 32:02

2M ago32:02

32:02

What is a “groyper?” The term began trending on Google in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death. Kirk, the right-wing podcaster and Turning Point USA co-founder, was fatally shot last Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. Major news outlets quickly reported that authorities had found bullet casings engraved with a series of seemingly…

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23andMe (andGeneticPrivacy) 36:22

2M ago36:22

36:22

When 23andMe filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, it set off alarm bells among privacy experts and consumers alike. According to a 2025 survey, about 1 in 5 Americans has taken a home DNA test. Among those who haven’t, privacy ranks as one of their top concerns. As with so many things having to do with data, there’s a trade-off between confident…

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What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Faith - Adam Lance Garcia 39:20

2M ago39:20

39:20

Order 66 is old news. Coruscant's draped in shadow. And in Adam Lance Garcia's Star Wars Insider tale, "The Failing of the Light," a true believer faces a choice that'll leave you questioning everything. This week, we're diving deep with Adam (the mastermind behind Dex's poignant moment in From A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi) to unpack…

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From MIT’s TeachLab: The Homework Machine 35:50

2M ago35:50

35:50

The Close All Tabs team is taking the week off, but we wanted to share something else we think you’ll be into: a new mini series from MIT’s TeachLab Podcast. It’s called The Homework Machine, and it dives deep into how teachers and students are navigating the arrival of generative AI in schools. Episode one is titled “Buckle Up, Here It Comes.” In …

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Teachers Strike Back Against AI Cheating 31:20

2M ago31:20

31:20

Cheating in school isn’t new. But with AI making it easier than ever, teachers face a new challenge: where to draw the line and how to make sure students are still learning. In this episode, we’ll take a look at three different approaches educators are adopting to deal with AI in their classrooms. First, Morgan sits down with Max Spero, founder of …

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Before ChatGPT, There Were 'Shadow Scholars' 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

Thousands of writers in Kenya make their living ghostwriting academic papers for wealthy Western students. It’s an industry known as “contract cheating” or “essay mills,” and is the subject of a new documentary, “The Shadow Scholars.” Directed by Eloise King, the film follows Kenyan-born Oxford Professor Patricia Kingori as she investigates this hi…

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Star Wars: Nostalgia Trap or Launchpad (Special Guest Heavy Spoilers) 43:09

3M ago43:09

43:09

Is Star Wars stuck in a nostalgia trap, or can it still launch into hyperspace? This week we're joined by Paul from Heavy Spoilers to dissect the Force... and the flaws. We're asking the tough questions: Are cameos saving Star Wars, or are they sinking it faster than Luke's X-Wing on Dagobah? We look at when fan service works (Han Solo as a mentor?…

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Does Gen Z Have A Staring Problem? 35:37

3M ago35:37

35:37

Have you heard of the “Gen Z stare”? It’s the blank look some Gen Zers seem to give instead of the usual greetings or small talk—and it’s the latest skirmish in a years-long generation war between Gen Z and Millennials. Internet culture researcher Aidan Walker joins Morgan to trace the origins of this rivalry, unpack what behavioral quirks like “th…

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Is Algospeak Coming for Us? 32:57

3M ago32:57

32:57

Social media creators started using words like “unalive” and “seggs” to dodge algorithmic filters that might suppress “inappropriate” content. But these workarounds aren’t staying online. They’re leaking into real life — like last year, when the Seattle Museum of Pop Culture explained on a placard that Kurt Cobain “unalived” himself. In his new boo…

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Save or Scroll: ICE + Influencers, Data Hygiene on Grindr, and Labubu Desserts 33:13

3M ago33:13

33:13

In another installment of Save or Scroll, Morgan teams up with internet culture writers Daysia Tolentino and Moises Mendez II to dig into the stories they can’t stop thinking about. From people calling ICE on influencers, to Grindr’s new age verification, to the Labubu matcha Dubai chocolate craze (yes, you heard that correctly), the three of them …

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Bonus: A Big Win for the Internet Archive 11:31

3M ago11:31

11:31

Who decides what is and isn’t a library? The Internet Archive now has federal depository status, joining a network of over 1,100 libraries that archive government documents and make them accessible to the public — even as ongoing legal challenges pose an existential threat to the organization. Some of the organization’s critics even argue that the …

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OGs of Tech: A Latino Engineer in Silicon Valley 32:23

4M ago32:23

32:23

In a field obsessed with the future, sometimes it’s worth looking back. OGs of Tech is a new occasional series from Close All Tabs that looks beyond the billionaires to spotlight the often-overlooked innovators who helped build the digital world we live in today. One of these OGs is Felidoro Cueva, who grew up in a rural village in the Andes mounta…

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From AT-AT Nightmares to Father-Son Fandom 50:07

4M ago50:07

50:07

Okay, so you're a Star Wars-loving dad, or maybe just a Star Wars fan in general, right? Then you've GOT to hear check out this week's episode! We're chatting with Todd and Trent Hoffman, a father-son duo who are seriously next-level when it comes to their Star Wars obsession. Seriously, it's like passing down the Force itself! They dive into their…

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Teens Under the Influence (of Chatbots) 34:41

4M ago34:41

34:41

Young people are increasingly turning to AI “companion chatbots” to meet their emotional needs. But a new study shows that these chatbots, which are designed to mimic real social relationships, can carry serious risks. In this episode, Morgan and her sister put one chatbot's safety guardrails to the test — and get more than they bargained for. Then…

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Reimagining Episode IX: Was the Death of Carrie Fisher a Missed Opportunity to Reboot Star Wars? 1:21:49

4M ago1:21:49

1:21:49

Did the Force ghost of opportunity pass right through Disney's hands? In this week's episode, we're diving deep into the galaxy far, far away to dissect a massive "what if" surrounding the sequel trilogy. Specifically, we're asking: could Carrie Fisher's untimely passing and the divisive reception of The Last Jedi have been the catalyst for a bold,…

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From Hoth to Homework: Teaching With the Force (and Star Wars) 45:50

4M ago45:50

45:50

Ever wondered if the Force could help with… algebra? (Spoiler Alert: It probably cant!) Join us this week as we chat with Craig Dickinson of Reading Between the Reels. Craig shares hilarious and insightful stories of how Star Wars wormed its way into his heart as a kid – remember being four and utterly bewildered by Vader's big reveal? – and how he…

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How the Furry Fandom Says Goodbye 34:31

4M ago34:31

34:31

Furries are often known for wearing full-body animal suits at conventions — but the characters they inhabit, called “fursonas,” are much more than costumes. They’re deeply personal expressions of identity and creativity. So when someone in the furry fandom dies, how does the community say goodbye? In this episode, Morgan explores a virtual memorial…

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What is Star Wars? And Why Does It Matter? 30:06

4M ago30:06

30:06

Ever wondered why Star Wars continues to captivate generations? This week on Tatooine Sons, we're diving deep into the heart of the galaxy far, far away to explore just that! This special rebroadcast features my insightful interview on ATG Live with the dynamic duo, Pete Fletzer and Nick Mielke, where we dissect the mythic essence of Star Wars and …

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Curls, Coils, and Pixels: Researchers Crack the Code on Black Hair Animation 32:56

5M ago32:56

32:56

The animation industry has long struggled to get Black hair right — from the infamous “Killmonger locs,” named after the Black Panther character and copied across video games, to the stiff, oversized afros of The Sims 4. As it turns out, hair animation tools were built almost exclusively with straight hair in mind. Two researchers, A.M. Darke and T…

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From Fan Fiction to Fantha Tracks A Star Wars Journey with Mark Newbold 48:06

5M ago48:06

48:06

Ever wondered what it's like to turn a childhood obsession into a dream career? Join us as we journey to a galaxy far, far away with Mark Newbold, Editor-in-Chief of Fantha Tracks! Mark, a lifelong Star Wars devotee, shares his incredible story, from battling illness with the Force by his side to interviewing legends like Anthony Daniels and Jon Fa…

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The Spotify Effect, Pt 2: Micro-Genre Madness 35:16

5M ago35:16

35:16

Spotify didn’t just change how we listen to music — it changed what a genre even is. In this episode, producer and rapper Quinn reflects on being thrust into the spotlight at age 15 as one of the breakout faces of Spotify’s meteoric Hyperpop playlist.. Then, music journalist Kieran Press-Reynolds breaks down how Spotify’s made-up micro-genres—like …

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Filoni or Gilroy: Can Star Wars Find Balance? 1:17:36

5M ago1:17:36

1:17:36

This week, we're tackling the Star Wars question that's been keeping the galaxy up at night – and probably you too. Forget the "Han shot first" debate, this is bigger: Filoni or Gilroy? Is Gilroy's darker, more complex vision the future of Star Wars? Or should the franchise be aiming for the more classic, Saturday morning adventure vibe that Filoni…

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Elon's Great Crash-Out / Unmasked in LA 26:03

5M ago26:03

26:03

Elon Musk and President Trump breaking up? LA protesters clashing with law enforcement? Waymos on fire (again)? Things have been moving fast the last few days — and like you, our feeds are on overload. Today, we’re bringing you a quick reaction episode to catch you up on a couple stories we’ve covered before that are suddenly back in the news. Clos…

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100,000+ Star Wars Fans Can't Be Wrong: How to Build a Thriving Community with The Virtual Cantina Network 50:44

5M ago50:44

50:44

Ever wonder how to build a thriving community around a shared passion? This week, we journey to a galaxy far, far away with Spencer from The Virtual Cantina Network (VCN), a Facebook group boasting over 100,000 Star Wars fans! Get ready to explore the secrets behind building such a massive and engaged online community. Spencer shares his own Star W…

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The Spotify Effect, Pt 1: Ghosts in the Playlist 33:53

5M ago33:53

33:53

Spotify has morphed from a straightforward music library and search engine into a data-driven system built to feed you songs to match your mood and optimize your time on the platform. In this episode, Morgan is joined by music journalist and author Liz Pelly to break down how Spotify built its playlist empire, the rise of so-called “ghost artists” …

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Tatooine Sons Reacts: Andor's Legacy of Courage, Sacrifice, and Star Wars for the Next Generation 1:18:27

5M ago1:18:27

1:18:27

Think Star Wars is just for kids? Think again! This week, Tatooine Sons looks deeply into the mature, complex storytelling of Andor with Pete Fletzer and Nick Mielke from The Streaming Star Wars Network's "Road to Rebellion - The Andor Aftershow". This isn't your average recap; it's a thoughtful exploration of what makes Andor a standout in the Sta…

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Do You Hear What I Hear? Audio Illusions and Misinformation 32:07

6M ago32:07

32:07

Are you old enough to remember the “Magic Eye” optical illusion mania that gripped the nation in the 90’s—random patterns that you had to squint at just right for the 3D image to pop out? It turns out it's not just our eyes that can be fooled. Our ears can play tricks on us too. There's a whole world of auditory illusions that seem to say one thing…

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Monkey Lizards & Mini-Jedi: Keeping Star Wars Weird (and Wonderful!) with Your Kids 42:13

6M ago42:13

42:13

Ever wish you could recapture the pure joy you felt watching Star Wars as a kid? This week, we're joined by Cam Ray from "Star Wars and Smile!" to explore how to keep the Force fun for a new generation! Cam shares his secrets to finding the humor in a galaxy far, far away (yes, even with Bub the Monkey Lizard!), and how he brings that infectious en…

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Why Can’t Hentai Go Legit? 32:38

6M ago32:38

32:38

Hentai, sexually explicit Japanese animation (anime) and comics (manga), is a genre that’s been criticized for depicting violent or ethically questionable scenarios. But some fans also see it as a space for expanding the boundaries of art, culture, and sexuality in a way that reverberates beyond its status as a niche subculture. In this episode, Mo…

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A Father, Two Sons, and a Galaxy Far, Far Away- Our Andor Finale Celebration at Lucasfilm 1:21:21

6M ago1:21:21

1:21:21

In this special episode of Tatooine Sons, join David, Sam, and Nate as they recount their epic pilgrimage to Lucasfilm and Skywalker Ranch! Witness their firsthand experience of watching the Andor series finale and Rogue One together in the Lucasfilm theater, a shared moment that transcends generations and strengthens their bond through a mutual lo…

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The Surveillance Machine, Pt 2: No Opt-Out 31:49

6M ago31:49

31:49

Think you can opt out of surveillance? Think again. Our locations, behaviors, and images are being tracked at unprecedented levels — and private tech companies are at the center, selling that information directly to the government. In this episode, Morgan talks with Nicol Turner Lee, Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at The Brookings…

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The Surveillance Machine, Pt 1: How We Got Here 32:19

6M ago32:19

32:19

The tools of high tech surveillance are increasingly all around us: security cameras in public and embedded in doorbells, location data on your phone, online ad tracking. A lot of this has become normalized, utterly mundane. But in the year since nationwide student protests for Palestine, heightened scrutiny of and retaliation against activists in …

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Recession Indicator Memes Are Getting Too Real 30:52

6M ago30:52

30:52

Recession indicator memes are everywhere, pointing to everything from office wear at the club to Lady Gaga’s return to pop music as signs of looming economic doom. But with the stock market sinking and tariffs piling up, the jokes are starting to hit closer to home. In this episode, KQED community reporter Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí joins Morgan to unpa…

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How Safe is AI Therapy? 30:57

7M ago30:57

30:57

After a divorce, KQED health reporter Lesley McClurg felt anxious over the prospect of dating again. On a whim, she turned to ChatGPT for a little emotional support — and found herself unexpectedly comforted. That experience launched her investigation into the fast-growing world of AI therapy. In this episode, Lesley joins Morgan to explore the pro…

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Twitter on a Vape: Puff, Post, Pollute 37:28

7M ago37:28

37:28

In this episode, tech reporter Samatha Cole shares what happened when she tried to “vape the internet” after seeing a viral post about a disposable touchscreen vape with built-in social media. We also hear from environmental philosopher and public health researcher Yogi Hale Hendlin, who says these high-tech disposables are made possible by a legal…

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Save or Scroll: Manosphere Mornings, Luigi Sex Tape Rumors, and the Art of the Hard Launch 32:40

7M ago32:40

32:40

We can’t cover every wild post from every corner of the internet — and not everything online warrants a full multi-tab journey. That’s where Save or Scroll comes in: our series where we team up with a guest for a rapid-fire roundup. In this episode, Morgan is joined by ICYMI co-host Candice Lim to dig into the stories they haven’t been able to stop…

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The Broligarchy Pt 2: Is this Techno-Fascism? 37:17

7M ago37:17

37:17

The ”broligarchy” didn’t come together in a vacuum — this combination of extreme wealth, right wing leanings, and an anti-establishment point of view has been brewing for decades. There are lots of names for this ideology coming up in the news: techno-fascism, techno-feudalism, tech oligarchy, cyber-populism, authoritarian technocracy. What does it…

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The Broligarchy Pt 1: Chronicles of the PayPal Mafia 37:29

8M ago37:29

37:29

The term “broligarchy” refers to the Silicon Valley elite tech leaders who have accumulated vast amounts of wealth, power, and now, political control over the last quarter century. In the first of a two-part series, Morgan dives deep into one highly influential subset of this “broligarchy,” the so-called PayPal Mafia. Joined by The Guardian reporte…

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What Happens if the Internet Archive Goes Dark? 34:29

8M ago34:29

34:29

For decades, the Internet Archive has preserved our digital history. Lately, journalists and ordinary citizens have been turning to it more than ever, as the Trump administration undertakes an ideologically-driven purge of government websites. But the Archive itself faces an existential threat. In this episode, Close All Tabs Senior Editor Chris Eg…

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Waymo Problems 30:59

8M ago30:59

30:59

Self-driving Waymo robotaxis have become a familiar sight in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, but not everyone is happy about that. These “ghost-like” autonomous vehicles have made a lot of people uneasy, some even going as far as to vandalize the cars. But what’s behind this hostility? In this episode, Morgan speaks with Bloomberg journa…

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Children of the Vlog 31:31

8M ago31:31

31:31

The world of family vlogging is under scrutiny after the release of two new documentaries: HBO’s “An Update on Our Family” and Hulu’s “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.” The attention around Myka Stauffer and Ruby Franke has brought up questions about the dark side of family channels, and whether child influencers should have more say i…

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TikTok's Vibe Shift 30:10

9M ago30:10

30:10

On January 18, 2025, TikTok went down for U.S. users. After just 14 hours, it was back. Since then, questions have been swirling online. Has the algorithm changed? Was the ban just a ruse? Has TikTok gone… conservative? In this episode, internet culture expert Taylor Lorenz joins Morgan to break down the answers to those questions. They’ll dig into…

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Introducing Close All Tabs 2:00

9M ago2:00

2:00

New episodes drop weekly starting February 26! Tech journalist Morgan Sung spends most of her day online—so you don’t have to. Each week, Morgan tackles a new topic that might seem niche on the surface but is destined to impact our lives—both online and off. She pulls from experts, creators, and history to add context to the trends and depth to the…