Shows
Tech News Weekly (Audio)AI Pricing on Instacart - Is AI Making You Pay More for Grocery Deliveries?
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?
Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah...
2025-12-121h 07Tech News Weekly (Video)AI Pricing on Instacart - Is AI Making You Pay More for Grocery Deliveries?
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?
Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah...
2025-12-121h 07All TWiT.tv Shows (Video)Tech News Weekly 416: AI Pricing on Instacart
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?
Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah...
2025-12-121h 07All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)Tech News Weekly 416: AI Pricing on Instacart
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?
Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah...
2025-12-121h 07Total Mikah (Audio)Tech News Weekly 416: AI Pricing on Instacart
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?
Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah...
2025-12-121h 07Total Mikah (Video)Tech News Weekly 416: AI Pricing on Instacart
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! The former CEO of Hinge left his position this week to launch an AI-powered dating app. Pebble is coming out with its take on a smart ring. What is the AI Model Context Protocol? And could grocery delivery services be using AI to charge different prices for groceries to consumers?
Amanda talks about a new AI-powered dating app called Overtone that the former CEO of Hinge, Justin McLeod, has founded.
Pebble is coming out with its own smart ring with a built-in microphone, and Mikah...
2025-12-121h 07
Wow If True119: We talk to Elon's WaifuIsabel and Amanda sacrifice the sanctity of their souls and talk to Ani, the very horny anime waifu that is now part of Elon Musk's Grok app. But don't worry, we balance it out by telling you a weirdly wholesome story about Tony Hawk.[This episode is NSFW; if you do not want to hear an AI panda talk about burning down schools, you also might wanna skip this one]SourcesAmanda's article about Ani and Bad Rudy Find Us Online Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wowiftrue.bsky.social
2025-07-2339 minWow If True118: Will the real Velvet Sundown please stand upIsabel and Amanda talk about two very different kinds of AI grift. In one, a man pretends to be real social media for the (probably) AI band "The Velvet Sundown." In another, Soham Parekh simply gets employed by every single AI startup at once. SourcesThe Velvet Sundown: https://medium.com/@andrew.frelon/i-am-andrew-frelon-the-guy-running-the-fake-velvet-sundown-twitter-fcab2b7e471bSoham: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/03/everyone-in-tech-has-an-opinion-about-soham-parekh/Find Us Online Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wowiftrue.bsky.socialTwitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue
2025-07-0945 minWow If True116: Q+A (Unexpected Wet)You had questions. We have answers. We tell you about: the most "white lady" email we have sent; our screen time; fears of unexpected wet; life hacks for 29-year-olds specifically; Amanda's undying love for HBO Girls; cursed food content; political memes and earnestness; is there any good use of AI; and, unfortunately, not the 1944 US-Mexico Water Treaty.Find Us Online Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wowiftrue.bsky.socialTwitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftruePatreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrueWebsite: https://w...
2025-06-1155 minWow If True110: Rare JD Vances + Claude Plays PokémonAmanda tells Iz about Claude Plays Pokemon, where an AI wearing the skin of a beloved communal experience simply fails to make it out of Mt. Moon. Then Iz inflicts JD Vance memes on Amanda, explaining another sort of beloved communal experience: making JD Vance edits. Also—brodernism!SourcesAmanda's article on Claude plays PokémonBrodernism!An all time bad post :(Midroll linksThis Guy SuckedCrampedFind Us Online Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wowiftrue.bsky.socialTwit...
2025-03-1946 minWow If True109: Silicon Valley's Breeding KinkThe Silicon Valley bros are not okay, and neither are their indeterminate number of genetic offspring. We discuss why the rightwing tech elite are obsessed with having babies, and more importantly, how can we possibly move forward with our lives now that we have [spoilers] learned about a new Elon baby live on air?Sources“The Tech Baron Seeking to Purge San Francisco of ‘Blues’”Amanda’s “Uber with Guns” articleAshley St. Clair sues Elon Musk for custodyGrimes’ custody struggles with Elon Musk“Why the Left Should Embrac...
2025-03-0554 min
The Influence Factor by The Influencer Marketing FactoryThe Daily Grind of a Tech Journalist w/ Amanda Silberling (TechCrunch)In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari, CEO and Co-Founder of The Influencer Marketing Factory, speaks with Amanda Silberling, senior writer at TechCrunch.They discuss her work in journalism, the importance of media literacy, and the challenges journalists face today. Amanda shares insights into her daily workflow, the art of pitching, and how AI is shaping content creation.The conversation also explores the impact of deepfakes on influencers and the rise of virtual influencers, examining their audience engagement and the future of this digital trend.🌟 Leave a 5-star rat...
2025-02-1230 min
Total Jason (Video)Tech News Weekly 365: Android XR Is Google's Spatial Computing OS
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins us this week! Did OpenAI's Sora video generation model train on gaming and streaming content? A judge ruled that Automattic is to stop blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress.org. And Image Playground, Genmoji, and more generative AI features now available within Apple Intelligence.
Amanda talks about how OpenAI's Sora video generation model is supposedly training on video games and streaming content.
Mikah shares how WP Engine won an injunction against Automattic, owner of WordPress, and that Automattic must stop blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress.org's resources.
Jason Howell stops by to...
2024-12-131h 07Total Jason (Audio)Tech News Weekly 365: Android XR Is Google's Spatial Computing OS
Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch joins us this week! Did OpenAI's Sora video generation model train on gaming and streaming content? A judge ruled that Automattic is to stop blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress.org. And Image Playground, Genmoji, and more generative AI features now available within Apple Intelligence.
Amanda talks about how OpenAI's Sora video generation model is supposedly training on video games and streaming content.
Mikah shares how WP Engine won an injunction against Automattic, owner of WordPress, and that Automattic must stop blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress.org's resources.
Jason Howell stops by to...
2024-12-131h 07Wow If True102: Glow in the DarkIz and Amanda talk about: glow in the dark condoms, America's most evil liberal, the double bongcloud, Isabel's book career and the fact that she needs to become a TikTok star, and bringing the portal to Philadelphia, ft. cameo by Iz's boyfriend, at the most appropriate time. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About Us Wow If True was created by Isabel J. Ki...
2024-11-2053 minWow If True101: Wow if True 101Time for Wow if True 101, a brief look back at the history of Wow if True. By brief, we mean an hour. Iz and Amanda talk about the trajectory of Wow if True and also, their lives. This one's MAD parasocial. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About Us Wow If True was created by Isabel J. Kim and Amanda Silberling. Our editors ar...
2024-11-0646 minWow If True100: The Pokémon LeaksWe made it to a hundred episodes! Unfortunately, all celebration must be postponed because Isabel needs to read Amanda far too much Pokémon mythology. That's right, we're talking about the big Pokémon data leak and the resulting Typhlosion memes. By this we mean Pokémon fucking. We're talking about Pokémon fucking. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About Us Wow If Tru...
2024-10-2354 minWow If True98: The Water Bottle Industrial ComplexThis episode has it all: and by, it all, we mean that Amanda spends about a full twenty minutes talking about her celebrity crush. And yet, through the power of podcasting, we manage to dive into the history of Stanley Cups and Owalas and how water bottles became fashion statements. We even interviewed Dr. Jess Rauchberg, a professor at Seton Hall studying digital culture, about water bottle culture. Amanda's celebrity crush DOES somehow relate to water bottles, but not in the way you think. Links Jess Rauchberg: https://x.com/JessRauchberg S...
2024-09-251h 03Wow If True97: Dueling FriendsSo what's a friend, anyway? Well, if you're making an AI startup, a friend is a mic who is always listening :) Iz and Amanda discover the power of friendship and also the power of buying the url friend.com and also the power of reading The Power Broker, Robert Caro's 1162 page epic. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About Us Wow If True wa...
2024-09-1146 minWow If True95: Can you copyright an egg?None of this episode is legal advice. We're joined by IP attorney Sam Doesntwantrealnameincluded, and we discuss the legality of stealing Scarlett Johannson's voice for your AI, or if she can sue you for one billion dollars (trick question: its always legal to sue in America!). Also, listener questions about copyrighting the internet, answered with varying degrees of legal fidelity. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com
2024-08-1454 min
Big Game HungerAmanda Silberling makes whatever a mail-puss game is, thanks Giovanni Amanda Silberling, tech journalist and podcaster, joins the podcast mostly to dunk on former guest Giovanni Colantonio, but also to brag about going to the Olympics. Inbetween all that, they make the game "Mail-puss," a game based on the prompts: incredibly haunted, Mail-puss, Played secretly at a party or event The resulting folk game(s) can be played at any convention, party, or Olympics you're attending! If you're alone, play the name-based Mail-puss. If you have 8 people, then lean into the incredible haunted rumor-mongering version. Fun for all ages and number of players! Hear more...
2024-08-1259 min
Exolore: facts-based fictional worldbuildingSplatoon Review with Amanda SilberlingMoiya asks pop culture writer Amanda Silberling about her favorite video game, Splatoon! It involves squid kids, apocalypse stories, judgemental cats, and just the right level of violence. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Amanda Silberling is a senior culture writer at TechCrunch and co-host of Wow If True, a podcast about internet culture. Find her work online at amandasilberling.com and follow her on twitter @asilbwrites. MESSAGES Listen to Amanda's podcast Wow if True every other Wednesday Download a copy of Dr. Moiya's worldbuilding workbook to get...
2024-07-2552 minWow If True93: AnonymityWe're back from our break, more powerful than ever, and maybe even strong enough to talk about anonymous social media and whether it's good or bad (or, perhaps, it's not that simple). Amanda writes a book report, Iz grades a book report, we both reminisce about being anonymous teenagers on the internet. Also: oh, hey YikYak, we thought you were dead. Sources: Instagram is toxic for teen girls (WSJ): https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739 Yik Yak background (TechCrunch): https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/28/yik-yak-shuts-down-after-square-paid-1-million-for-its-engineers/ Yik Yak Hack (Motherboard): https://w...
2024-07-1753 minWow If TrueWelcome to Wow If True! Wow If True is your one-stop internet culture shop, explaining how what’s happening online shapes the real world. And we’re the internet experts and real-life besties to unravel it: tech culture journalist Amanda Silberling and science fiction author slash attorney Isabel J. Kim, Esq. More importantly, we’re the only podcast that will mention Neopets and horizontal mergers in the same episode. New episode every other Wednesday. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowif...
2024-07-1600 min
Total Jason (Audio)Tech News Weekly 344: Samsung's Galaxy Ring and Watch Ultra
The Federal Trade Commission bans an app from being offered to minors. A beloved DVD rental service files for bankruptcy. An old website publication has been resurrected as an 'AI-zombified' website. And what Samsung announced at its latest Galaxy Unpacked event.
Amanda Silberling joins Mikah this week on Tech News Weekly! Amanda talks about the FTC banning the app NGL from offering its social app to minors following a ruling that the company tricked users into paying its $9.99 monthly subscription.
Mikah talks about Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment, the company that owns the DVD rental service Redbox...
2024-07-111h 27Total Jason (Video)Tech News Weekly 344: Samsung's Galaxy Ring and Watch Ultra
The Federal Trade Commission bans an app from being offered to minors. A beloved DVD rental service files for bankruptcy. An old website publication has been resurrected as an 'AI-zombified' website. And what Samsung announced at its latest Galaxy Unpacked event.
Amanda Silberling joins Mikah this week on Tech News Weekly! Amanda talks about the FTC banning the app NGL from offering its social app to minors following a ruling that the company tricked users into paying its $9.99 monthly subscription.
Mikah talks about Chicken Soup For The Soul Entertainment, the company that owns the DVD rental service Redbox...
2024-07-111h 27
More To SayAmanda Silberling, TechCrunch - How Technology Impacts PeopleAmanda Silberling is one of my favorite people to talk to because I love her insights and perspective on how the future of the tech industry is going to impact creators and consumers. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about today. Amanda is a writer and reporter for TechCrunch and host of the podcast, Wow If True.Amanda and I dig into the government and regulation of tech and social media in the creator economy, the impact of artificial intelligence in the music industry and on social media, and how the relationship between AI crea...
2024-06-111h 04Wow If True89: Isabel got a book deal!Isabel got a seven figure book deal and got the book optioned, but she continues to threaten to kill people on our podcast (especially the kid in the Omelas hole). No, this is not a bit. Iz is god's favorite princess, and Amanda can run a mile without stopping. Links Isabel's book deal announcement! The story about killing the kid in the Omelas hole Most importantly... NEW MERCH! Get your very own shirt/mug that says "I listened to Wow If True before Isabel J. Kim got a seven figure book d...
2024-04-2453 minWow If True88: How we learned about handwashingThe history of handwashing? It's way wilder than you think. Isabel is once again out of the country and/or concussed, which means Amanda is joined by her friends Caro and Andrea to talk about everyone's favorite 19th century handwashing accelerationist, Ignac Semmelweis. What does this have to do with the internet? Well, if you're going to go outside and touch grass (preferably while listening to this podcast), you're going to need to wash your hands when you come back inside. TW: medical gore, death, dissection, infection, drugs Find Us Online T...
2024-04-1035 minWow If True87: Do you think MrBeast is happy?The most successful internet creator of all time is a guy named Jimmy who locks people in grocery stores for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like him or not, MrBeast is such a fascinating figure in pop culture that we have become MrBeast anthropologists. Beastly scholars. Why do people like MrBeast so much? How does MrBeast (and the prizewinners in his videos) fit into the narrative of the American Dream, and how will that be exaggerated now that he has his own TV show? Is he even happy? And more urgently, is his chocolate any good? Links
2024-03-2751 minWow If True81: Everybody is using panelsHappy new year, which means happy public domain day! We talk about Steamboat Willie, our favorite (and least favorite) internet moments of 2023, how to eat crabs, etc. We play two (2) whole games, like Wow if Two Truths and a Lie and the now-annual public domain game! The Isabel book club! We sliced the meme! More about Steamboat Willie: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/02/steamboat-willie-mickey-mouse-public-domain/ Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowif...
2024-01-0359 minWow If True79: Crab rave for Henry KissingerIn this episode: Isabel has a concussion and a cold at the same time, so Amanda does the podcast alone and has an existential crisis. While confronting her vulnerability and loneliness without her other podcasting half, Amanda tells you about Henry Kissinger death memes, weird fanfic theories, OpenAI drama, and crabs. Links Mark Yarm on Henry Kissinger memes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/05/26/kissinger-death-memes/ OpenAI and bad HP fanfic collide: https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/21/what-does-a-harry-potter-fanfic-have-to-do-with-openai/ Crab rave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDU_Txk06tM Find Us Online ...
2023-12-0638 minWow If True71: BarbenheimerIsabel goes to see Barbenheimer and declares Barbie a science fiction/fantasy movie. Amanda gets a podcast dungeon. Your intrepid hosts also wade into tree law and "girl dinner." I must mention again that I have a podcast dungeon now. At some points, a baby is crying in Isabel's hallway, which you can hear, because she does not have a podcast dungeon. We mention in the episode when we get into Barbenheimer spoilers -- that continues until 39:45. We also talk about the "girl dinner" trend, which includes mentions of disordered eating behaviors and how they i...
2023-07-261h 08Wow If True69: Nice [LIVE!]It's our longawaited 69th episode, dedicated to the history of the 69 meme. But also we're on an island with our 30 closest friends, many of whom are in the room (cabin) with us today! After we enlighten you with our deep dive into 69 history, our live cabin audience will dazzle you with stories from the island, including egg drop drama, wizard LARPing, and the spooky thing Isabel saw. Find Us Online Buy our merch! https://www.wowiftrue.com/merch Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www...
2023-06-2843 minWow If True67: Bigolas Dickolas WolfwoodWe're waiting for our own Bigolas Dickolas moment. Unfortunately, this isn't the episode for that, because Amanda talks about which Jeopardy Master showed feet, and Isabel ranks all her dnd characters by rizz. Yes, we have lost the plot. And the time war. But hey, at least we follow more than 30 women on twitter (now you have to listen for context, here's how Wow if True can still win.) Links Bigolas Dickolas: https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/11/bigolas-dickolas-time-war-booktok/ Isabel is in Best American SFF 2023!!!! https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-best-american-science-fiction-and-fantasy-2023-r-f-kuangjohn-joseph-adams?variant=41012404125730 Find Us Online Buy our merch! https://wowif...
2023-05-1749 minWow If True66: Skeets, TweetsIn this episode, we're skeeting all over the place, because sometimes, everything happens everywhere all at once. By that we mean: dril vs. Elon ultimate showdown (of ultimate destiny), bluesky (aka twitter 2) vs twitter (aka twitter 1), and Amanda vs. the mortifying ordeal of meeting Hank Green. Find Us Online Buy our merch! Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About...
2023-05-031h 02Wow If True64: Anime girl tax prep dating simMSCHF has anime girl tax preparation software, Brandon Sanderson has a wizard supervillain lair, and Amanda has unsubstantiated hot takes about sports. Really. C’mon sport, let’s watch the big game. And by the big game, I mean, let’s get our taxes done by dating an anime girl. Links Anime girl dating sim tax prep ?? https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/30/anime-girl-tax-dating-sim-mschf/ Weird Brandon Sanderson story 1: https://www.wired.com/story/brandon-sanderson-is-your-god/ Weird Brandon Sanderson story 2: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a43438119/brandon-sanderson-profile/ Find Us Online Buy our merc...
2023-04-0550 minWow If True63: AP Artificial IntelligenceWe recommend making yourself a cheese toast before listening so that you don't get hungry for cheese toast, because we're talking about a 60-year-old retiree's cheese toast Facebook group. Also: SVB and the internet's reaction to SVB melting, FTX influencer lawsuits, and why English majors will inherit the earth. And no, we don't talk about the SAT for 30 minutes. No, seriously, our editor cut that bit. You're welcome. Links Cheese Toast: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/15/a-retirees-group-for-cheese-toast-lovers-is-an-earnest-glimpse-of-weird-facebook/ FTX influencers gettin' sued: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/16/finance-youtubers-sued-over-promotion-of-ftx/ GPT-4 takes AP exams: https://twitter.com/emollick...
2023-03-2256 minWow If True61: Digital Archives & Metabirkins (ft. Allison Mills)Real life archivist (and our editor!) Allison Mills tells us how we preserve the internet, prompting Amanda to have an existential crisis about memory. Then, we return to the "maybe NFTs are bad, actually" corner with an update on Metabirkins, the overpriced NFTs of the overpriced handbags, which met their fateful end in an historic court ruling. Links Metabirkins: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/hermes-gets-win-over-metabirkins-in-first-nft-trademark-trial Loewe Howl's Moving Castle: https://www.loewe.com/usa/en/loewe-x-howls-moving-castle/discover-the-collection Allison :3 https://allisonmillswrites.com/ MERCH! https://wowiftrue.com/merch/ Find U...
2023-02-2259 minWow If True60: We have merch nowWe have merch now. But also we talk about events like the shutdown of twenty-year-old forum Stripperweb, that Seinfeld AI thing, the Korean spa, Brandon Sanderson, and how Amanda is now close personal friends with Brennan Lee Mulligan. Sort of. Also how the internet is simultaneously permanent and ephemeral at the same time and that's really a mindfuck, isn't it!? Most importantly, buy our merch. And vote for Isabel in the Locus Awards! Links: MERCH!!! https://wowiftrue.com/merch/ Vote for Isabel (three stories in short story category!!!!): https://poll.voting.locusmag.com/
2023-02-081h 04Wow If True59: Dungeons & Dragons & DonkeyWell folks, there's no getting around it, this one's mostly about D&D. AKA the OGL two, sequel to OGL, 2 OGL 2 furious, dropped ten hours before we recorded and so of course we have to talk about copyright, derivative content, and how not to alienate your entire fanbase with one simple trick. Also, Shrek is there. Also, the pink sauce is back. You're welcome! Links D&D Creative Commons: https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/12/dungeons-and-dragons-ogl-wizards-of-the-coast/ Did Shrek name himself? https://www.tumblr.com/aryashi/706291086771011584 Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wo...
2023-01-2555 minWow If True58: Wow if Two Truths and a Lie (ft. Eric Silver)It's our first episode of 2023, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to talk about new entries to the public domain! Noted Gamesman™ Eric Silver stopped by to play some games to honor the absurd internet stories of the year, but already, the new year is just as absurd as the last. To quote the undead indie romance writer Susan Meachen, let the fun begin! Show Notes Author who faked her death: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kelseyweekman/susan-meachen-author-alleged-death-hoax Public domain day! https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2023/ It...
2023-01-1144 min
Games and FeelingsGames Advice LIVE at PAX Unplugged With Jeremy Cobb and Amanda SilberlingIf you somehow got the chance to play a 15-letter word in Scrabble, quizzifications would be your highest-earning option. This episode is high-earning, too: injecting pure serotonin into my brain from performing live in front of people for the FIRST TIME on Games and Feelings. Enjoy advice from Jeremy Cobb and Amanda Silberling, live from the Crab God Theatre at PAX Unplugged 2022! Here is Doikayt, the Jewish TTRPG anthology I was talking about! Sponsors - D and Tea, makers of immersive teas for your RPG session. Check them out at dandtea.c...
2022-12-091h 05Wow If True54.20: Rahul LigmaIt happened: Elon Musk ordered that thing from Amazon late at night and then it arrived at his home and it wasn't what he expected but it was too late to return it. In other words, he owns Twitter now, but we'd rather not talk about the implications of that. Instead, let's talk about the memes spawned from this historic transaction. Also, we talk about the lawsuit surrounding Disco Elysium. May the pale wash away Elon & ZA/UM's sins. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Fac...
2022-11-0251 minWow If True52: Wifeguy stocks tankIn this episode: everyone is very regular on the internet! Just kidding. Wifeguy stocks tank. Amanda succeeds in our original goal of going viral. Iz gets asked about weed while wearing a blazer at an MCR concert. Look, it's been a week. We're all doing our best, but at least our best isn't delivering a resume cake to the Nike office. Links Isabel's Shirley Jackson Award-nominated story! https://www.khoreomag.com/fiction/youll-understand-when-youre-a-mom-someday/ Resume cake chaos: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/nike-resume-cake/283-325dc0b3-6989-4764-909e-f04b2fdcfd67 Musk fuckery: https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/29/elon-musk-texts-discovery-twitter/ Tumblr fucke...
2022-10-0536 minWow If True51: It's Q&A timeYou have questions, we have answers. We talk about how the pod is going, mundane super powers, influencer animals, internet art, good books, and whether we would fuck, marry or kill Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. You know, normal things. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/ Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About Us Wow If True was created by Isabe...
2022-09-2152 minWow If True50: Wow if True touches grass [LIVE!]In this first-ever live episode of Wow if True, our hosts go on vacation to an island haunted by the ghosts of 40 Boy Scouts (?). After remaining mostly offline for a week, we receive updates from the news of the real world -- walrus hitmen, Argentinian presidential candidate crypto schemes, goth tractor girls having a yeehaw summer -- with two dozen of our closest friends. If you've never listened to the pod before, maybe don't start with this one. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: http...
2022-09-0740 minWow If True48: Lost in the (pink) sauceThis week, one of our hosts is finally, officially a lawyer! And the other knows too much about the pink sauce scandal. What's the pink sauce, you might ask? That's a great question. We'd also love to know what's in it. Also, Big Publishing™ is trying to sue the Internet Archive, and our Actual Lawyer™ tells us why we should care. Finally, we are entranced by the epic highs and lows of the Upper East Side french bulldog community. Links Libro.fm: use code WOW at checkout to get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1! (or click here: https://www.awin1.com/cre...
2022-07-2757 minWow If True47: The pull out methodAre the brands okay? Is anyone ever okay? Is RadioShack, specifically, okay? Is Elon pulling out (of Twitter, we mean, get your head out of the gutter)? Who are the Gentleminions? Did Hank Green steal a lemur? And most importantly: what did Amanda eat at VidCon? Links Uhhh, a lot more happened in the Ongoing Musk Saga after we recorded this, but here's Amanda on Musk + memes + the law: https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/12/elon-musk-lawsuit-memes-twitter-acquisition/ RadioShack Twitter guy: https://www.inputmag.com/culture/radioshack-twitter-account-abel-czupor-squirter-tweet Gentleminions?? https://www.buzzfeed.com/williambarrios/gentleminions-tiktok-trend-explained ...
2022-07-1351 minWow If True46: Fandom, Inc. (ft. Amanda McLoughlin)Amanda McLoughlin (CEO of Multitude Productions) says that everything she knows about running a business, she learned in fandom... because believe it or not, the same skills that help you organize a fic exchange also help you run an independent podcasting collective! This one's for you, fanfic enthusiasts and former britpickers. Links Amanda McLoughlin: https://twitter.com/shessomickey Multitude: http://multitude.productions/ Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowif...
2022-06-2958 minWow If True44: Ask an extremely online doctor anything (ft. Dr. Emily Temple-Wood)Wikipedian of the Year and Actual Real Doctor Emily Temple-Wood returns to the pod! We talk about the worst thing on the internet this week -- the Winnie the Pooh slasher film -- then answer your burning medical questions: how did they do surgery on a grape? Did people really eat tide pods? How does ibuprofen work? What went wrong when Bella Swan gave birth? Get ready, it's morbin' time. Timestamp trigger warnings: 27 - Surgery and debraidment 30 - Abortion 31 - Byopsies 32 - Children in medical distress 34 - Eye trauma 35:30 - Strokes 36 - Opiates 38 - Pooping 41...
2022-06-0155 minGames and FeelingsWhat Makes a Game Cozy? with Janet Garcia & Amanda SilberlingWe have a lot of good games advice for you, but we really need to know where to get a hat that looks like a Bidoof perched on your head. We investigate with games critic Janet Garcia and tech reporter Amanda Silberling for the hard-hitting truth. Find Us Online - ask questions: gamesandfeelings.com/questions - patreon: patreon.com/gamesandfeelings - twitter: twitter.com/gamesnfeelings - insta: instagram.com/gamesnfeelings Credits - Host, Producer, & Question Keeper: Eric Silver - Ed...
2022-05-2050 minWow If True43: Vampire Gerard Way, Esq.In this episode, we embrace the goth lifestyle and go back to basics. That is to say, we read Dracula. Daily. Along with 25,000+ people. It's a long story, okay. Also My Chemical Romance is back and half the hosts are excited about this, and it's not the half you'd think. Sometimes the internet is just a vehicle to embrace your inner emo kid, and sometimes it's a vehicle to lose a lot of money in a crypto meltdown. These are definitely equivalent things. Links Your new pen pal, Jonathan Harker: https://draculadaily.substack.com/ Smash...
2022-05-1846 minWow If True42: Oh no, not another Elon podcast!Sorry for talking about Elon Musk again, but in our defense, he should stop doing things like "having a secret baby with Grimes" and "spending $44B on Twitter." That's right, Elon "Tesla stock at $420" Musk is likely buying Twitter, and meanwhile, you could briefly 420blazeit on Tumblr. On the bright side, at least the Destiel/political event nexus is still active? Links A timeline of the Elon saga: https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/24/elon-musk-twitter-offer-timeline/ About Us Wow If True was created by Isabel J. Kim and Amanda Silberling. Our music is by Sam Ri...
2022-05-0446 minWow If True41: Club Penguin Metabirkins (ft. Allison Mills)Elon Musk is buying Twitter (or not?). Club Penguin is relevant again (or not?). Most importantly, audio editor extraordinaire/author/archivist Allison Mills joins us to talk about Birkin bags, appropriated blockchain-based Birkin bags, and appropriated-appropriated Birkin bags. Also, Isabel gets cancelled. Libro.fm: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=1001477&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Fmembership%3Fmp%3DWOW (…or just enter promo code WOW to start a monthly subscription with two books for the price of one!) Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/wowiftrue (you can purchase Allison's book here, Allison has a book...
2022-04-201h 00Wow If True40: None pantry left bookcaseIn this episode, half the hosts have contracted the [REDACTED], but we won't tell you which half unless you listen. But more importantly, half the hosts have never consumed canned soup, and we also won't tell you which half unless you listen. Also, Tumblr's actually good prank, Khloe Kardashian's pantry vs. Ashley Tisdale's bookcase, and Young Sheldon? It's content. Affiliate Links Libro.fm: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=1001477&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Fmembership%3Fmp%3DWOW (…or just enter promo code WOW to start a monthly subscription with two books for the price of...
2022-04-061h 11Wow If True39: New baby just droppedIn this episode, we talk about dating, good names for wizards, and bad names for babies. AKA, Grimes is dating Chelsea Manning and had a second secret baby with Elon Musk, so sorry if you found out this way. Can we offer you a podcast episode in this trying time? Or maybe five Brandon Sanderson books? Affiliate Links Libro.fm: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=1001477&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Fmembership%3Fmp%3DWOW (…or just enter promo code WOW to start a monthly subscription with two books for the price of one...
2022-03-1647 min
We Earn Media46: Make a Pitch Stand Out Amongst the Vast Creator Economy with Amanda SilberlingWe analyze a pitch for a social app that received a humble amount of funding, but captivated our guest to cover the story for TechCrunch. From it, you’ll learn about how authenticity can shine through in your brand. Amanda offers her unique perspective as a full-time contractor for TechCrunch with experience as a freelance journalist. You’ll receive tips on pitch etiquette, emails, and a reminder that who you reach out to is just as important as what you’re pitching. We also have a special bonus resource of Amanda’s Google Doc, so check it out here: What I C...
2022-03-0849 minWow If True38: Emmett Cullen's Bored Ape (ft. Alexa Derman)We are a shining beacon of 2009 fandom in these trying times. Chill vibes only on the pod as very online playwright Alexa Derman stops by to tell us about "Big Fanfic Piece," a digital play in which her friends performed her 2009 fanfiction.net profile, which she deleted after being featured in a list of "worst Twilight fanfics." Also, we have to talk about HPMOR. And then we tell you Iz's twelve year old fanfiction.net account username, which we are sure everyone really wanted to know. Show Notes Alexa's Big Fanfic Piece: https://bigfanficpiece.tumblr.com/ ...
2022-03-0256 minWow If True37: Web3 is going just great (ft. Molly White)In this episode: there’s nothing wrong with web3 and it is going just great, because we’ve entered a parallel dimension where crypto doesn’t exist but women do. That’s a lie: we’re here to talk about the biggest financial seizure in history, cryptoland, and also, Razzlekhan. And we’re joined by special guest Molly White, creator of “web3 is going just great,” a site that chronicles the many stumbles web3 has while it continues its sigma grindset. Also, Amanda raps. So you should listen for that, at the very least. Show Notes Web...
2022-02-1656 min
The Created EconomyAmanda Silberling, TechCrunchTechCrunch reporter Amanda Silberling joins Gregarious Narain and Ken Yeung on this episode of "The Created Economy." As a journalist covering the space, she shares her perspective on TikTok's ability to live rent-free in the minds of Facebook and Snap, creator funds, Web3, and the overall Creator Economy landscape. Check out our website for more info at https://www.createdeconomy.com and get the latest Creator Economy news on Flipboard: https://www.flipboard.com/@CreatedEconomy.
2022-02-101h 03Wow If True36: Gamer Girl Spectacular (ft. Eric Silver)[TW: mention of sexual assault 5:05-5:20] In this episode: Is this a poetry workshop? No! It’s the gamer girl spectacular, featuring gamer girl Eric Silver. Just kidding, Eric isn’t a gamer girl, Eric’s the Head of Creative at Multitude Productions and Dungeon Master of Join the Party. We’re here talking about real gamer girl things, like mergers and acquisitions — specifically Microsoft and Activision, the Undertale-Pope connection, and whether we approve of Wordle culture or not. After we recorded this, every single game company decided to merge (Sony and Bungie!), and the NYT acquired Wordle, pr...
2022-02-0253 minWow If True35: Blorbo from my showsIn this episode: Iz breaks Amanda with the identity of blorbo, we discuss the circular nature of social media fame and going viral for nothing (hello Hype House yes this is a drag), and the current Tower of Babel situation Tumblr is undergoing. Also, we talk about rebranding, both conceptually and as a very real thing we’re doing. Show Notes Blorbo links? https://twitter.com/tumblr/status/1480981759369965571 https://casgirl.tumblr.com/post/672727025101979648 https://pwcbthesixth.tumblr.com/post/673230436853596160/to-anyone-who-missed-it-blorbo-a-favourite https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/blorbo-from-my-shows-tumblr-meme/ Th...
2022-01-1942 minWow If TrueWow If TrailerWow If True is your one-stop internet culture shop, hosted by meme sommeliers and real-life besties: tech journalist Amanda Silberling and terminally-online law guy Isabel J. Kim. We dig into what, where, and how something's going viral, and why what’s happening online matters in real life. New episodes every other Wednesday. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https://wowiftrue.com/Email: wowiftruepod@gmail.com About Us Wow If True was created by Isabel J...
2022-01-1901 minWow If True34: Death and Kim KardashianThis week, we’re rolling back the calendar to talk about the viral highlights (and lowlights) of 2021. Just kidding, we’re talking about Timothée Chalamet being Amanda’s real life nemesis, the magnetic, unexplainable appeal of Pete Davidson, and also the upsetting juxtaposition between tragedy and comedy that defined viral events in 2021. Also, Isabel threatens to murder three different people. Show Notes Paige Skinner's 2021 discourse list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r9Poy88d4mO2g4BsZY2xRYRqseFUrHztTAfoVzyu2uw/edit Llama in a Tux discourse list: https://twitter.com/llamainatux/status/1475173334505693184?s=21 ...
2022-01-0546 minWow If True33: TikTok Tarot & the AlgorithmMysticism meets data science in this week’s episode, where we unwrap Spotify Wrapped and talk way more about auras than we needed to. Also, if the algorithm suggested this episode to you — great news for recursion fans, we talk about the algorithm. And last, weird news for money fans, Mr. Beast is throwing lots of it away, cause that’s what the content machine craves — not you though, YOU want to listen to this episode. Show Notes Mystic Michaela: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-12-01/learn-more-about-the-audio-aura-in-your-spotify-2021-wrapped-with-aura-reader-mystic-michaela/ Brand cocoon: https://www.youtu...
2021-12-1539 minWow If True32: Corporate Cringe32: Corporate Cringe Facebook rebranded, which is extremely cringe and not based. Also, venture capitalists are subsidizing the lives of creators now, and we can’t decide whether that’s cringe or if we’re jealous that no one is giving us millions of dollars for this S-tier podcast. Also also, Isabel makes Amanda go into the Wendy’s Discord, the definition of corporate cringe. Somehow, Amanda’s childhood skiing accident comes up. It’s a mess of an episode, but we know you love mess. Show Notes Venture capital firm invests in creator: https://www...
2021-11-2444 minWow If True31: Cult Survivor TikTok (ft. Elizabeth Hunter)31: Cult Survivor TikTok (ft. Elizabeth Hunter) Sometimes, the algorithm is… good? For people with very specific experiences — like surviving a cult — social media can be a place of connection and healing. Elizabeth Hunter went viral on TikTok for talking about her experiences growing up in a fundamentalist cult, and now, she’s the named plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Department of Education — it’s a long story, but we have it all for you here on your favorite internet culture podcast! We also confront Elizabeth about the awful way in which she cuts avocados and talk about how go...
2021-11-1043 minWow If True30: Realms of RuinAnother episode, another deep dive into pointless internet drama. This time, we’re talking about Realms of Ruin, the ill-fated NFT-based publishing project created by six bestselling young adult authors that people hated so much, it got shut down in hours. Plus, Isabel somehow finds a way to mention Supernatural and Homestuck, and Amanda shares her most controversial opinions. Show Notes If you are looking for even more content on this, here’s a deep dive that we think is very good and we have no bias: https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/26/inside-realms-of-ruin-ya-novelists-failed-nft-project/ Find Us Onlin...
2021-10-2837 minWow If True29: We are your Bad Art FriendThe internet broke this week — literally, like Facebook went down for six hours. But also figuratively, because Writer Twitter blew up with takes about a New York Times article about a lawsuit between two writers that none of us had previously heard of. Isabel indulges us by using her J.D. to dive into the legal proceedings in the landmark case Dawn v. Sonya (that’s not the actual name), and we learn how copyright law works! We’re your Bad Art Friend. Again, we have a discord now! So if you’re not a Patreon patron what are...
2021-10-1342 minWow If True28: Gaslight, Gatekeep, GirlbossGaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss is the non-cheugy evil twin of the very cheugy Live, Laugh, Love, so of course, here you go: here’s a full episode unpacking the trifecta of white feminism. We talk about Isabel being a corporate lawyer who says fuck at work, the origin of the term girlboss, and debate whether or not Elizabeth Holmes is a Girlboss. Also, we have a discord now! So if you’re not a Patreon patron what are you waiting for?? But if your name is Craig you can get in free. Sorry we don’t make the rules...
2021-09-2931 minWow If True27: Wow if Olympics! (ft. Regina Salmons)We happen to have a good ol’ buddy who /competed in the Olympics/, so of course, we had to have her on the show so that we could ask her about the supposed “anti-sex” Olympic beds. Meet Regina Salmons, a real life Olympic Rower who competed for Team USA in the Women’s 8 race! She’s 6’1”, not 6’0”, and she’s here to talk with us about the best Olympics memes from Olympics TikTok (where, of course, she was also featured in some viral TikToks). Also, there’s a lot of free condom discourse here, we’re very sorry. Isabel insists we add “imma keep...
2021-09-1539 minWow If True26: Atoning for our Internet Sins (ft. Eric Silver)Isabel is on vacation, so we invited Eric Silver (Multitude, Join the Party) back on the show to fill in! We talk about matzo ball soup, updates in our internet fame quests, Tony Hawk’s blood skateboards, the Mets, internet Yom Kippur, and Mamoswine. Show Notes Amanda talked about OnlyFans on a podcast about… finance!? https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/25/onlyfans-policy-change-is-a-tale-as-old-as-the-internet/ Speaking of podcasts, listen to Join the Party: https://www.jointhepartypod.com/ Vulture’s Succession Cover Story: https://www.vulture.com/article/succession-season-three.html Blood skateboards… inputmag.com/style/tony...
2021-09-0139 minWow If True25: Let me tell you about HomestuckWe regret to inform you that you have reached the dreaded Homestuck episode. We talk about what it was like to be a Homestuck back in the day, why Isabel thinks Homestuck will be taught in English classes in 50 years, the apparent fraud (?), and buckets (???). Shout out to Sophie, Bryan, and Brae for sending us testimonials about how Homestuck ruined (or improved?) your lives. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowiftrue Website: https...
2021-08-1846 minWow If True24: Tumblr DramaTumblr announced a monetization feature and all hell broke loose. Isabel witnessed it on the scene, wading through the Wild West of the internet. Amanda wrote about it and snuck the word “Destiel” into an article, prompting Tumblr to get mad. Just another day in the internet’s wasteland, but what does the backlash against Tumblr Post+ mean for the future of the platform? How can social platforms monetize without alienating their community? Big questions, big answers. Show Notes “Tumblr debuts Post+, a subscription service for Gen Z creators:” https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/21/tumblr-debuts-post-a-subscription-service-for-gen-z-creators/ “Trou...
2021-08-0431 minWow If True23: Questions, as well as answersWe take listener questions about our first internet dramas, how we met, forgotten YouTube videos, fanfiction, how to tell if you’re in a social or parasocial relationship, and other things — but somehow, Isabel still teaches us something new about Supernatural, because our show is absolutely cursed. Show Notes Golden Loves Guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBluUZ4NnZg Goofy Sings Bring Me to Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czLYl4fM8yk Apparently the Pirates video is lost forever. Find Us Online Tw...
2021-07-2135 minWow If True22: Cheugy vs. CampAmanda finally breaks and starts making TikToks. Isabel does her Valley Girl voice. It’s full chaotic evil here at Wow If True. We talk about the nuances of Cheugy vs. Camp, the best title for a thesis you’ve ever heard, and somehow, Isabel makes us learn more about Supernatural. We’re fine. We promise. Everything is fine. Show Notes What is Cheugy?: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/style/cheugy.html What is Camp?: https://qz.com/quartzy/1419465/susan-sontags-54-year-old-essay-on-camp-is-essential-reading-to-understand-culture-in-2018/ Amanda tries to be TikTok famous: http://tiktok.com/@asilbwri...
2021-06-3029 minWow If True21: Gay Chicken Nuggets (ft. franklyhannah)TikTok is simple. You crochet chicken nuggets with pride hats, and the people go wild. That’s what happened to our pal Hannah, who’s now known to her 20k followers as “nugget lady” because she’s crocheting so many chicken nuggets. We talk to Hannah about her viral nugget journey, breaking bones, seltzer, bad puns, and more. Show Notes Hannah’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@franklyhannah?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1 Hank Green roasted me: https://twitter.com/hankgreen/status/1402683051369402369 Find Us Online Twitter: h...
2021-06-1633 minWow If True20: Race in Fandom ft. Herbgerblin & MarywhalIt’s ye ole race episode – we talk to two BIPOC fandom creators about how to navigate race on the internet! What do you do when people assume you’re white online? What happens when the thing you’re a fan of constantly pulls racist shit? What responsibility do fans have to correct creators' mistakes? We talk about all of that and more, but also, Isabel somehow manages to inject the BTS McDonald’s meal and Doritos into the conversation. Show Notes Allison’s Tumblr: https://marywhal.tumblr.com/ Joc’s Tumblr: https...
2021-06-0248 minWow If True19: The Shrektacular!It’s the Shrektacular, the Shrek spectacular in which we speculate about Shrek! We’re back from our break and ready to rumble with some ogre-due content about Shrek, which turns 20 this week. Did Shrek animators really take mud showers while working on the film? We have the answers. What is cheugy? That, we do not have the answer to. We also talk about Zoom Graduation, TAZ Graduation, Zoom Bris, Grabovoi Numbers, ABO, and so much more. Show Notes The Mud Shower saga: https://twitter.com/asilbwrites/status/1387122886176018437 What is Cheugy? https://www.nytim...
2021-05-1930 minWow If True18: JoshfightThis week, we talk about Joshfight, Jeopardy, finding internet community in weird places, Isabel’s recipe for intentionally bad bibimbap, and our scheduling update. Long story short, to prevent burnout, we are making the decision to take 2 weeks off and then start releasing bi-weekly episode. This will make the show better and more sustainable in the longterm! Thanks for y’alls support thus far
2021-04-2832 minWow If True17: Life Advice from Wil WheatonToday in the lives of your intrepid hosts: Isabel gets really good life advice from Wil Wheaton, Amanda investigates TikTok’s “industry plant punk band,” and also, what do you do with 2.5 pounds of rainbow sprinkles? We also talk about The Circle, the millennial vs. gen z debate (again), and rank people’s Dungeons and Dragons character names, like Kyle the Warlock. Show Notes The Tramp Stamps drama: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tramp-stamps-dr-luke-tiktok-backlash-1156440/ Wil Wheaton is on tumblr? https://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/ Find Us Online Twitt...
2021-04-2135 minWow If True16: Steve Ibsen x The Kitty Cat DanceWhen Steve Ibsen was in high school, he made the Kitty Cat Dance, which went viral – but, this was 2004, when YouTube didn’t even exist, and the internet was even wilder than it is now, so he lost control of the Kitty Cat Dance! His meme was used without his permission by Hot Topic and Roblox, and finally, 17 years later, Steve turned the video into an NFT to regain some control. What the #*$*(@ is an NFT? Why are meme creators using them? Listen to find out! Show Notes The Kitty Cat Dance: https://www.y...
2021-04-1440 minWow If True15: The Wizard SATIt’s just us this week! We talk about Lil Nas X’s blood shoes, old tweets about Sandstorm by Darude, the legality of URL hoarding, Omegle adventures, Fuck Yeah blogs on Tumblr, Wizard SATs, Nyan Cat, and more. Show Notes Montero (Call Me By Your Name) by Lil Nas X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swmTBVI83k Lil Nas X Apologizes for the Satan Shoe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESf8Un3g9zM Shameless plug that Amanda wrote about Nyan Cat: https://www.inputmag.com/cultu...
2021-04-0737 minWow If True14: Danielle Baskin x Suez Canal Dating AppA dating app for people stuck in the Suez Canal, sweaters for your drone, venture capitalist trading cards, real life blue checks, a recruiting agency for quitting your job – Danielle Baskin makes a living off of internet jokes gone too far, and we’re so here for it. We talk about turning memes into businesses, karaoke on the Suez Canal, putting your drone on Tinder, and more. Show Notes Forever Given, the Suez Canal Dating App: www.forevergiven.app Tweet announcing the dating app: https://twitter.com/djbaskin/status/1375576304590888961 “I Like...
2021-03-3140 minWow If True13: Mike Schubert x Modern Muckraker, PotterlessMike Schubert joins us to talk about reevaluating your “personal brand” after making it big on the internet, being in a parasocial relationship with thousands of people, and launching his new show Modern Muckraker! We ask Mike our burning questions: is it ethical to keep making fandom content when the creator of the source material turns out to be… uh… a TERF? What was it like when Vine collapsed? Do tomatoes belong in guac? Show Notes Help fund Mike's show Modern Muckraker! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/schubes/modern-muckraker-a-comedic-investigative-journalism-podcastm Mike’s website/othe...
2021-03-2446 minWow If True12: Internet Accessibility! (ft. John Loeppky)It’s just another episode of Wow If True in which Isabel finds a way to mention Supernatural, a television show which is extremely no longer on air. But it’s also not just another episode, because journalist John Loeppky joins us to talk about the relationship between disability and memes! Yes, memes intersect with all aspects of culture. Other conversation topics include Isabel’s sword collection, John’s illustrious wheelchair basketball career, how to use alt text, lettuce, and – for some reason – bronies. Show Notes John Loeppky!:https://linktr.ee/johnloeppky Journalism...
2021-03-1744 min
This Week in BlaseballSeason 13: There May or May Not Be Crying in Blaseball (with Amanda Silberling)Writer and podcaster Amanda Silberling (@asilbwrites) joins GB (@anacrusisnt) and Gio (@MarioPrime) to talk about the new Wills, a very long In Memoriam segment, and the Crab's first victory since their return to the ILB. CONTACT US: @Weekinblaseball on twitter, or thisweekinblaseball@gmail.com. KO-FI: ko-fi.com/thisweekinblaseball.
2021-03-151h 28Wow If True11: Robin Yu x The Garages x BlaseballThe Garages write music about the Blaseball, a web-browser horror/comedy game taking the internet by reverb. It’s a fanband! Like fanfiction, but music, but also extremely punk rock. Today we’re here with Robin Yu, one of the Garages’ over 100 members, to talk about going collectively viral—but also to talk about the Bee Movie, Twilight, Supernatural, Pokemon Go, and a bunch of other similar malarkey! It’s fine! Play blall! Show Notes Post-interview, Robin asked us to clarify that the fourth strike server is open only to those currently working on existing...
2021-03-1044 minWow If True10: The intersection of 69th Street & Dicks AvenueTen episodes in, and finally, Amanda went viral! Unfortunately, it was for a dick joke. Meanwhile, Isabel is getting paid on Tumblr to psychoanalyze people. We also discuss Amanda’s long lost Hollywood relative, why people are selling ocean galaxy lights on Twitter, cryptoart, and a life-changing truth about none pizza with left beef. As our lives slowly spin out of control, we also take time to reflect on how the podcast is going – let us know your thoughts! Show Notes Amanda’s viral dick joke: https://twitter.com/asilbwrites/status/1365687972268544000 Why are...
2021-03-0341 minWow If True9: A meme podcast about labor ethicsWe can’t seem to stop talking about the value of workers unions on our meme podcast. This week, we dig into the role of Twitter in the Reply All/Gimlet/Bon Appetit drama that’s unfolding. Also, Amanda tells the story about how recently, she accidentally became a dog’s press secretary. She also shares how not-so-recently, she participated in a Lincoln-Douglass debate about the Cullen family at Borders. Plus, apparently dads are on Clubhouse? Who knew! Show Notes Gimlet thread from Eric Eddings: https://twitter.com/eeddings/status/1361789128006897668 Levi Fetterma...
2021-02-2445 minWow If True8: ??? x Organizer MemesIf you think shitposting can’t get you anywhere, think again. Meet Organizer Memes, the Hannah Montana of progressive political Twitter: by day, they’re just another organizer, knocking door-to-door in the rain. By night, they’re an anonymous Internet personality rubbing virtual elbows with Senators like Jon Ossoff, who they got to tweet “Memes” once. But memes aren’t all fun and games – the account’s anonymity allows organizers to submit stories of their hardships in campaign work in a protected way. Now, Organizer Memes has over 12,000 followers, and their tweets often amass millions of views – but as our anonymous frie...
2021-02-1732 minWow If True7: Tom Nook invests in GME (ft. Amanda McLoughlin)Isabel invests. Amanda doesn’t. But, we both play Animal Crossing. Amanda McLoughlin (Spirits, Join the Party) stops by to teach us about the Gamestop + Wall Street Bets situation by comparing it to turnip sales in Animal Crossing! Other conversation topics include ghosting famous people, the Great Gatsby Undead, Amanda’s secret residence on 123 Reading Road, and the secret sci-fi writers forums. Show Notes Amanda McLoughlin’s Animal Crossing Stonks Thread: https://twitter.com/shessomickey/status/1354585934466068480 Spirits: https://spiritspodcast.com/ House Breakfast: https://www.twitch.tv/housebreakfast Tulipma...
2021-02-1034 minWow If True6: Eric Silver x Multitude ProductionsIn this very meta interview with Eric Silver, Head of Creative at Multitude Productions, we discover that all podcasts are actually just about podcasts. What’s fair use? No one knows! What are the four pillars of mediocre D&D content? You can probably guess. Why is being Jewish on the internet so fraught sometimes? You can probably guess that one too. How much can Join the Party fans pay Eric to eat a D20? Well, the answer to that question is at your fingertips. Show Notes Multitude: https://multitude.productions/ Joi...
2021-02-0340 minWow If True5: The rise & fall of Bernie's mittens (ft. Tatiana Tenreyro)After the Inauguration, the internet has become even stranger. Why are Senators feuding on TikTok? Is it possible that Dean/Castiel canonization in the CW’s Supernatural is a predictor of major events in U.S. politics? Plus, we’re joined by special guest Tatiana Tenreyro, a pop culture journalist who went viral for her Bernie meme Instagram account @theberniealbums. The pure joy of seeing Bernie in his mittens may have been short-lived, but our quest for internet fame is not. This week, we continue to plot our world domination (by that, we mean, write Jewish fanfic and do swor...
2021-01-2733 minWow If True4: Emily Temple-Wood x WikipediaMeet Emily Temple-Wood, winner of the Wikipedian of the Year Award and actual internet famous Wikipedia person! Since she was 12, Emily has been writing and editing articles on Wikipedia. After realizing the gender disparity in both the encyclopedia’s content and editors, she started the viral Project Women Scientists. In this episode, we talk about coming of age online, managing internet harassment, the Great Gatsby vs. Zombies, and everyone’s least favorite band, U2. [Note: The audio quality here isn’t our best, but we are improving rapidly! Fret not! Also, don’t forget to leave us a writte...
2021-01-2033 minWow If True3: Edible at least onceIt may be worth pointing out that we recorded this on New Year’s Eve, and… a lot of things have happened on the internet since then. This is a relic of a simpler time. Speaking of relics from simpler times, we have a lot of opinions about Midnight Sun, and we decided that now’s the time to share them. Amanda mourns her Teen Jeopardy career that ended before it began, and Isabel is watching Hannibal? In 2021? Plus, we discuss the edibility (and deliciousness) of various Pokémon, as inspired by the internet’s shining light Brian David Gilbert.
2021-01-1327 minWow If True2: Chase Howell x LemgthbookChase Howell moderates hundreds of Facebook groups on Lemgthbook, a corner of the internet where over 150,000 people commit to never use the letter N. We have a lot of questions about this, and we get a lot of answers. In our first interview, Chase tells us the story of her rise to niche internet fame on Lemgthbook. Show Notes Lemgthbook: http://lemgthbook.com/ Lemgthy Earth: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lemgth Famtastic Lomgbois amd Where to Fimd Them: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lomgbois Lemgthy Limguistics: https://w...
2021-01-1329 minWow If True1: Who are we?Hey, it’s our first episode! We introduce you to your intrepid co-hosts Isabel and Amanda as they strive to become famous on the internet. We talk about Obama reading Marx to impress ethereal bisexuals, the end of Supernatural (it was still running!?), the secret underground world of fanfic publishing, and so much more. Thoughts on the show? Tweet us at @wowiftruepod! Show Notes That time when Amanda got paid to write about memes: https://www.papermag.com/how-facebooks-largest-meme-group-was-overthrown-in-one-click-1876262586.html The thing we got a cease & desist for which IS NO LON...
2021-01-1334 min
Artblog RadioAmanda Silberling talks about art activism and rape culture on campusThe art activist group We Are Watching was organized by Amanda Silberling and her friends at the University of Pennsylvania, where they are undergraduates. Propelled to action by an email sent by a fraternity to incoming Penn freshmen girls to come to a party and be ready to, basically, put out, Silberling and her colleagues blanketed the campus with flyers outing the fraternity for its crass invitation, with its implied embrace of rape culture.
2016-11-0930 min