<![CDATA[The Next Next Thing]]>f2977fec-7fbf-5786-9a05-4ff3bfdd210aWed, 26 Aug 2026 18:15:20 +0000Captivate.fmSam Beckerhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/61a1f735-1e84-4759-aa8b-8f05d6c61fdf/TNNT-Square.jpgThe Next Next ThingSam BeckerSam BeckerA podcast about what's happening now, and what comes next.https://the-next-next-thing.captivate.fmtrueepisodicnopodcastThe Growth of Forced Arbitration (and Why You Should Care) with Brendan BallouThe Growth of Forced Arbitration (and Why You Should Care) with Brendan BallouIf you've ever clicked through the terms of service on a product or service, you've likely agreed to some form of forced arbitration in the event of a legal dispute. Effectively, consumers can barely sue companies anymore, and it's a growing issue. Host Sam Becker speaks with Brendan Ballou, the founder of the Public Integrity Project, a former federal prosecutor, and author of the recent book "When Companies Run the Courts" to learn more.

When Companies Run the Courts: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brendan-ballou/when-companies-run-the-courts/9781541705715

The Public Integrity Project: https://publicintegrityproject.org/

Sam Becker: www.sam-becker.com

]]>If you've ever clicked through the terms of service on a product or service, you've likely agreed to some form of forced arbitration in the event of a legal dispute. Effectively, consumers can barely sue companies anymore, and it's a growing issue. Host Sam Becker speaks with Brendan Ballou, the founder of the Public Integrity Project, a former federal prosecutor, and author of the recent book "When Companies Run the Courts" to learn more.

When Companies Run the Courts: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brendan-ballou/when-companies-run-the-courts/9781541705715

The Public Integrity Project: https://publicintegrityproject.org/

Sam Becker: www.sam-becker.com

]]>5c7f4f98-2719-4e0f-b00f-d29f7e04e9eaWed, 26 Aug 2026 14:15:00 -040037:55truefull66AI Hiring Whiplash and Brand Damage With Amanda Zantal-WienerAI Hiring Whiplash and Brand Damage With Amanda Zantal-WienerWill companies going all-in on AI and thinning out their ranks regret it? Will there be a backlash (it seems so!), and will we soon see a large-scale, corporate about-face with companies claiming to be "human-first"? And when corporations line up, literally, behind controversial political figures, do they consider the long-term brand damage being done? Host Sam Becker speaks with Amanda Zantal-Wiener, an expert in branding, content, and strategy, and founder and managing partner of Butcher, Baker, Beatmaker, about it all!

Butcher, Baker, Beatmaker

Amanda Zantal-Wiener's website

Sam Becker's website

]]>Will companies going all-in on AI and thinning out their ranks regret it? Will there be a backlash (it seems so!), and will we soon see a large-scale, corporate about-face with companies claiming to be "human-first"? And when corporations line up, literally, behind controversial political figures, do they consider the long-term brand damage being done? Host Sam Becker speaks with Amanda Zantal-Wiener, an expert in branding, content, and strategy, and founder and managing partner of Butcher, Baker, Beatmaker, about it all!

Butcher, Baker, Beatmaker

Amanda Zantal-Wiener's website

Sam Becker's website

]]>94eca0d6-f37f-44bf-8aba-93840a9dc85eFri, 14 Aug 2026 09:55:00 -040034:33truefull55Betting On the Future of Gambling and Predictions Markets with Dustin GoukerBetting On the Future of Gambling and Predictions Markets with Dustin GoukerSports betting, gambling, and prediction markets are everywhere. If something is happening in the world, you can probably place a wager on it. You know the apps: DraftKings, FanDuel, Kalshi, Polymarket—and others. These platforms are opening up a whole new stream of revenue and driving profits, but there are costs. Costs to society, to young people, and to those who may be vulnerable to addiction or impulse control issues. In order to learn more, host Sam Becker speaks with Dustin Gouker, a gambling sector analyst, journalist, and consultant, who writes and reports on both gambling and prediction markets.

Dustin Gouker’s The Closing Line newsletter

The Event Horizon newsletter

Sam Becker’s website

]]>Sports betting, gambling, and prediction markets are everywhere. If something is happening in the world, you can probably place a wager on it. You know the apps: DraftKings, FanDuel, Kalshi, Polymarket—and others. These platforms are opening up a whole new stream of revenue and driving profits, but there are costs. Costs to society, to young people, and to those who may be vulnerable to addiction or impulse control issues. In order to learn more, host Sam Becker speaks with Dustin Gouker, a gambling sector analyst, journalist, and consultant, who writes and reports on both gambling and prediction markets.

Dustin Gouker’s The Closing Line newsletter

The Event Horizon newsletter

Sam Becker’s website

]]>6afdf097-1ee0-47d0-8192-03d068c89634Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -040047:33truefull44Fruitless Toil: Finding Meaning in Work with Emily McCrary-Ruiz-EsparzaFruitless Toil: Finding Meaning in Work with Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza"Work" means different things to different people. Some people dread it, other people revel in it. Overall, though, it's a necessity for most of us. But it can feel...pointless, at times. In a more philosophical episode, Sam speaks with Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza, a writer and essayist, about an essay she wrote on this very topic. Emily writes about work, our relationship to it, and also hosts a podcast about work as well.

If you've ever felt like you were wasting your life at your desk, this episode is for you.

Host: Sam Becker

Guest: Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza

Links:

Emily's website

Emily's podcast: How to Be Anything

Emily's Fast Company essay

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

]]>"Work" means different things to different people. Some people dread it, other people revel in it. Overall, though, it's a necessity for most of us. But it can feel...pointless, at times. In a more philosophical episode, Sam speaks with Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza, a writer and essayist, about an essay she wrote on this very topic. Emily writes about work, our relationship to it, and also hosts a podcast about work as well.

If you've ever felt like you were wasting your life at your desk, this episode is for you.

Host: Sam Becker

Guest: Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza

Links:

Emily's website

Emily's podcast: How to Be Anything

Emily's Fast Company essay

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

]]>8f63b69f-3722-4fe5-874f-3d2d569f9cbcFri, 10 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -040032:25truefull33Our Evolving Approach to Free Speech with Lee Rowland of the NCACOur Evolving Approach to Free Speech with Lee Rowland of the NCACThe Trump administration has used the heft of the federal government to bully, intimidate, and silence its critics in a way no other administration has before. In perhaps the most public display of policing speech, the FCC has tried (and succeeded) to "cancel" late-night comedians and talk show hosts.

The United States was, previously, a country where things like this were not tolerated. But now, it seems, we are. What does that mean for free speech in the U.S. going forward? Will future presidents use the same approach? Will Americans stand for it?

Host Sam Becker speaks with Lee Rowland, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, on the topic.

Host: Sam Becker

Guest: Lee Rowland

Links:

The National Coalition Against Censorship

Sam Becker

The "FCC" story Sam mentioned writing

]]>The Trump administration has used the heft of the federal government to bully, intimidate, and silence its critics in a way no other administration has before. In perhaps the most public display of policing speech, the FCC has tried (and succeeded) to "cancel" late-night comedians and talk show hosts.

The United States was, previously, a country where things like this were not tolerated. But now, it seems, we are. What does that mean for free speech in the U.S. going forward? Will future presidents use the same approach? Will Americans stand for it?

Host Sam Becker speaks with Lee Rowland, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, on the topic.

Host: Sam Becker

Guest: Lee Rowland

Links:

The National Coalition Against Censorship

Sam Becker

The "FCC" story Sam mentioned writing

]]>39c15b89-8c5a-4b61-a39a-5b54fc0fff48Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -040039:33truefull22How to Tell the World About Extraterrestrials with Dr. Brianne SuldovskyHow to Tell the World About Extraterrestrials with Dr. Brianne SuldovskyDiscovering extraterrestrial life would be massive, and telling the world about it would be challenging as well. Our ability to communicate important scientific information has broken down, and that's a big problem. The pandemic played a role, and there are reasons that people may be skeptical or untrusting of authority.

Host Sam Becker speaks with Dr. Brianne Suldovsky, a professor at Portland State University who specializes in science communication and public engagement, on the topic. Dr. Suldovsky published a white paper exploring how the government and scientists would communicate the discovery of extraterrestrial life, and how the approach could differ depending on what, exactly, we find.

Host: Sam Becker

Guest: Dr. Brianne Suldovsky

]]>Discovering extraterrestrial life would be massive, and telling the world about it would be challenging as well. Our ability to communicate important scientific information has broken down, and that's a big problem. The pandemic played a role, and there are reasons that people may be skeptical or untrusting of authority.

Host Sam Becker speaks with Dr. Brianne Suldovsky, a professor at Portland State University who specializes in science communication and public engagement, on the topic. Dr. Suldovsky published a white paper exploring how the government and scientists would communicate the discovery of extraterrestrial life, and how the approach could differ depending on what, exactly, we find.

Host: Sam Becker

Guest: Dr. Brianne Suldovsky

]]>29ad2f86-a160-42e7-b2b7-518d81ee1502Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:45:00 -040033:48truefull11The Next Next Thing TrailerThe Next Next Thing TrailerIntroducing "The Next Next Thing," a podcast about what's happening now, and what comes later, hosted by writer and journalist Sam Becker.

]]>Introducing "The Next Next Thing," a podcast about what's happening now, and what comes later, hosted by writer and journalist Sam Becker.

]]>19b00530-bff2-4ccf-a605-690e79c76363Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:40:00 -040001:52truefull