INFLUENCE
324 episodes - English - Latest episode: 30 days ago - ★★★★★ - 110 ratingsWhat does it really take to make a living (and an impact) on the Internet today?
Join Matt Silverman (who has been covering online culture for 15+ years) in conversation with YouTubers, musicians, podcasters, streamers, journalists, TikTokers and more about turning creativity into a job, building community on ever-changing platforms, and their complex relationships with huge online audiences.
INFLUENCE is the relaunch of 2 GIRLS 1 PODCAST, a weekly comedy/interview show about fascinating online communities, which ran for 7 years and nearly 300 episodes.
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Episodes
73 Hire This Tinder Ghostwriter If You Suck at Online Dating
March 04, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourSome people are great at taking flattering selfies and writing witty Tinder taglines. Others, not so much. That's where Meredith Golden comes in. For a fee, she'll take over your profile, learn your voice, and optimize your flirting so you don't screw it up. Then she'll hand the reigns back to you for the IRL date. The system works, and Golden has the record to prove it. But what are the ethics of outsourcing your love life to a consultant? Jen and Alli go deep with Golden and get the skinny ...
72 The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
February 25, 2019 08:00 - 46 minutesIn 2005, Bobby Henderson wrote a letter to the Kansas board of education suggesting that if Christian creationism is taught in schools, so should his theistic view: that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. And so, Pastafarianism was born. The Internet-based social movement spread rapidly as a critique of anti-science fundamentalism, but in some corners of the world like New Zealand, Pastafarianism became recognized by the government as a religious order, with all the rights and p...
71 Subtle Asian Dating
February 18, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourIf data-driven matchmaking platforms like Tinder have you down, consider an "old school" online dating method where your friends auction you off in a Facebook group with 300,000 singles who are ready to meme...I mean, mingle. That's how it goes down in "Subtle Asian Dating," a thriving Facebook community where Asian Americans can comfortably dish about their cultural identity and perhaps even meet "the one" with enough likes and comments. It grew out of a predecessor Facebook group called "Su...
70 This Couple Fell In Love on MySpace and Now Make Their Living Being Adorable on the Internet
February 11, 2019 08:00 - 55 minutesBefore Tinder, Grindr, J-Date and Christian Mingle, most of us just had a MySpace page and the dream of finding true love in a sea of extremely emo profile pics. Megan (from the U.S.) and Whitney (from the UK) started a long-distance relationship there, which blossomed against all odds into a international marriage, a TV appearance on Say Yes to the Dress, and a media empire focused on empowering LGBT couples. Their story is a beacon of hope that yes, long distance relationships can have a ha...
69 How Facebook Helped a Woman With a Rare Disease Find the Freedom to Be Herself
February 04, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourMost of the tales that come out of Facebook these days are about the attention sucking qualities that make it terrible for mental health and democracy. But there are shining beacons of hope where the platform has empowered communities that could not exist IRL or elsewhere on the Internet. Ashley Eakin is a filmmaker with an extremely rare bone disease that caused her great insecurity when posting online. That all changed when a powerful video about her story went viral across Facebook. The Fa...
68 Everything you'll ever say, think, and write is already in this online library
January 28, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourIf you do enough math, you can generate every combination of letters and numbers possible. Most of the results will be gibberish, but they will also contain Shakespeare, Harry Potter, the unpublished final Game of Thrones book, your 6th grade diary, the actual cure for cancer, and every email and text message anyone has ever sent — or will ever send — ever. Even the words I'm typing right now already exist somewhere in the Library of Babel, an algorithm conceived by evil genius/literature stu...
67 This "scientist" learned what women find attractive by A/B testing his beard on Tinder
January 21, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourApps like Tinder know a lot about you, but why should they horde all your dating data? In order to settle an argument, one man conducted an exhaustive experiment on the platform to determine if he was more attractive with a beard or without. He shared the results on the subreddit r/dataisbeautiful. He woke up the next morning to thousands of comments about this methodology, graphs, and why his chin was ugly. The discussion about attractiveness, cultural biases, data, and controlling variables...
66 What the '90s Web Can Teach Us About the Future of the Internet
January 14, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourThe History of the Web is a weekly newsletter that began as a place for coders to reminisce about CSS and Bulletin Board software. But it quickly evolved into a definitive timeline of our shared online history. The story of the Web (the public-facing network of pages that everyone has access to) is arguably the most important sociological endeavor of our time. Alli and Jen chat with Jay Hoffmann, author of The History of the Web, about the proto-communities that formed online in the '90s aro...
65 How the transgender community found a safe haven on Discord
January 07, 2019 08:00 - 1 hourHas the internet made things easier for the transgender community? That may depend on which corners of the web you hang out in. For Luna Baker (who transitioned from male-at-birth to female), a variety of digital havens for trans people came and went: Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Facebook groups, etc. Harassment and bullying followed in all of them. She finally arrived at Discord, where strict permissions and moderation carved out a place where members of the trans community could talk about an...
64 This Couple Quit the Internet for 1 Month and Lived to Vlog About It
December 24, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourCraig Benzine (better known as WheezyWaiter on YouTube) has been making online videos for a living since 2007. That's a long time to be living and working on the Internet, and when he felt social media was sucking up all his time, he challenged himself to quit for an entire month. His wife Chyna, feeling similar stress, joined the cause. The couple went dark(ish) for 30 days, then resurfaced with a hilarious video about what they learned from being disconnected for so long in a 2018 world. A...
63 Getting Plastic Surgery to Match Your Filtered, Perfect Selfies
December 17, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourAs media has shifted from broadcast to social, so too have our perceptions of beauty and self-confidence. Plastic surgeons are seeing their patients get younger, and who aspire to look more like their own highly curated selfies, rather than a celebrity or model. What does this say about a culture that is increasingly focused on documenting self image? Alli and Jen speak to Marla Frezza, who modified her nose to match her own selfie filters. They're also joined by producer Maria Chiu, who docu...
62 The 'Universal Language' of Esperanto Is Thriving on the Internet
December 10, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourEsperanto is a language invented 130 years ago with the goal of uniting the world under a simplified common tongue and creating everlasting peace. Spoiler alert: That never happened. But the Internet is rekindling the passion of the global Esperanto community, and millions of people are speaking and learning it through the power of language courses like Duolingo and online communities. Alli and Jen talk with Stela Besenyei-Merger, one of only 350 native Esperanto speakers in the world, and Ch...
61 How 3D Printing Is Transforming the Board Game Industry
December 03, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourWhat if you could 3D print that new lamp, designed by an Internet stranger for free, rather than ordering it from Amazon? When 3D printing tech goes mainstream, it will almost certainly revolutionize ecommerce (and create a whole new kind of online piracy). But until then, we're observing a microcosm of that play out in the tabletop gaming space, where designers are modeling pieces and creating entirely new games that players can download, print, or play virtually. Alli and Jen talk to Arian ...
60 How One Guy Tricked the Internet Into Thinking His Shed Was London's Best Restaurant
November 26, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourWhen Oobah Butler was hard-up for cash, he found a gig writing fake reviews for London restaurants he'd never been to. He fell into an abyss of forgeries on TripAdvisor that gave him an idea. What if he invented a fake restaurant, powered by more fake reviews, to fool everyone? The performance art stunt took on a life of its own, and compelled him to have a fake grand opening of "The Shed," London's #1 restaurant on the Internet -- which served microwave meals in Butler's backyard. The ultima...
59 Creepypasta and the Evolution of Internet Horror Storytelling
November 19, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourGhost stories around the campfire are as old as humanity itself, but spooky tales became memes unto themselves as the Web matured. Creepypasta (a derivative of "copypasta" which is derivative of "copy/paste") is the catch-all term and dominant wiki for the spooky stories that circulate and mutate on the Internet. Alli and Jen talk to Andrew Movitz (aka ClericOfMadness), the founder of the Creepypasta wiki, about why these stories tap our deepest fears, and the transformation of Creepypasta cu...
58 Meet the unlikely duo fighting Facebook's rampant romance scams
November 12, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourWhen Bryan Denny, a retired 26-year U.S. army veteran, started getting marriage proposals from strangers on Facebook, he knew something was up. Thousands of scammers were using stolen pictures of him in uniform to trick well-meaning Facebook users into sending money, iPhones, and gift cards overseas to a military hero with an honest face. Kathy Waters' family friend was among the victims. Denny and Waters now spend their free time busting fake accounts and pleading with lawmakers and Facebook...
57 Will Sex Robots Ever Replace Your Human Partner? (Probably.)
November 05, 2018 08:00 - 1 hourSex dolls have been around since at least the 17th century, but advances in AI and robotics are bringing them ever closer to meaningful companionship. Alli and Jen speak with Susan Pirzchalski, the chief robotics engineer of Realbotix, who is working to make the popular Real Doll sex toys come to life with sophisticated personalities. This week's episode is supported by Penguin Random House Audio, which publishes thousands of award-winning audiobooks every year, including your sci-fi and fant...
56 Inside the terrifying rabbit hole of messed-up YouTube videos for kids
October 29, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourIf you leave a toddler alone with an iPad long enough, YouTube's algorithms will guide her down a deep, dark rabbit hole of strange, low-quality, and often disturbing videos manufactured for kid consumption. These channels use recognizable characters (Mickey Mouse, Paw Patrol) to draw kids into horrifying click-bait narratives they can't resist. Who is making these videos, and what is YouTube doing about it? Alli and Jen talk to K.G. Orphanides who has written extensively about YouTube's stra...
55 Composer Kevin MacLeod Somehow Makes a Living by Giving All His Music Away for Free
October 22, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourIf you've ever sought a soundtrack for your home movies that wouldn't get removed by YouTube, chances are you've come across Kevin MacLeod's music. He's composed thousands of original tracks, in every imaginable genre, that he gives away under a Creative Commons license, on a variety of platforms, absolutely free. His music has been used in commercials, films, video games, and an uncountable number of YouTube videos and podcasts without any compensation. So, how does Kevin feed himself? Alli ...
54 How Tay Zonday survived being 'Patient Zero' of viral YouTube
October 15, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourWay back in 2007 Tay Zonday uploaded the original song "Chocolate Rain" to YouTube, and nothing happened. Then Digg and 4chan found it. And then Zonday was on CNN and Jimmy Kimmel trying to explain his music on national television. His meteoric rise led to a 10-year journey of identity confusion, and eventually self-actualization. Alli and Jen have a long, deep talk with Tay about coping with viral fame and his new podcast about that very topic, called "Chocolate Pains." This week's episode i...
53 Botnik's Algorithms Create TV Shows and Harry Potter Books Too Hilarious to Ignore
October 08, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourRobots have a long way to go before they replace artists and writers...but they're getting closer. A collective known as Botnik is using algorithms, predictive text, and machine learning to challenge our traditional notions of art, and create some hilarious TV Guide show synopses in the process. Alli and Jen speak with Jamie Brew, the creator of Botnik, about his ambitions to build new creativity tools for the digital age. This week's episode is supported by Penguin Random House Audio, which ...
52 Bad Dragon: The Marriage of High Fantasy Art and Sex Toys
October 01, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourRule 34 is alive and well on the Internet, but the enterprising sex toy company Bad Dragon has taken it even further with their epic dildo designs that imagine what kind of heat our favorite high fantasy creatures might be packing: dragons, aliens, elves, and even a demogorgon. Turns out there's a huge market for fulfilling sexual fantasies, Tolkien-style. Alli and Jen speak with Derek "Tsukaza" Young, a representative of the toy company, about the evolution of these products, what customers ...
51 The Birth of Online Dating
September 24, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourKids today have it easy, with their "swiping right" and their "J-dates." Back in the early '90s, you could barely send a profile pic to your crush. Gary Kremen wanted to change that. He co-founded Match.com, disrupted the personal ads industry, and forever changed how humans fall in love. Alli and Jen ask Kremen about the tumultuous early startup days, the data behind lasting relationships, and why they're still single after countless Tinder matches. Support 2G1P on Patreon! https://www.patre...
50 Re-inventing porn for women is more complicated than you think
September 17, 2018 07:00 - 56 minutesPorn is typically made by men for men, but women have needs, too -- and traditional porn doesn't always meet them. Alli and Jen talk with Michelle Shnaidman, founder of Bellesa.co, which creates porn videos, erotic fiction, erotic audio, and sex toys with a focus on female empowerment. Shnaidman also addresses the site's rocky beginnings and the common misconceptions about the porn industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 This guy ate 100,000 calories in 4 days and lived to vlog about it
September 10, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourMove over, food porn. Competitive eating is about slamming as many calories as possible, and there's a massive YouTube community around it. Erik the Electric's food challenge videos have been viewed 80 million times. Alli and Jen talk to him about approaching this extreme lifestyle in a healthy way, and his personal battle with anorexia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
48 Where Do Emoji Come From?
September 03, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourMost people think of emoji as trivial text message pictures. But creating them is a complex process debated by a consortium of tech giants. And as emoji become more widespread, so too does their cultural and linguistic importance. Alli and Jen talk to Jennifer 8. Lee about her campaign for multi-racial emoji, and whether emoji might evolve into a true language with grammar and identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
47 YouTube's Survivalist Community Is Prepping for the Worst - and You Should, Too
August 27, 2018 07:00 - 55 minutesThousands of "Preppers" are amassing food, water, tools, batteries, and other essentials in their basements and bunkers. But for what? Alli and Jen speak with Todd Reynolds, AKA The Dynamic Prepper, about survivalist culture, YouTube, knives, aliens, and why a "Go Bag" is a smart idea, whether you think the apocalypse is coming or not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
46 The Women Editing Thousands of Wikipedia Articles in a Quest for Gender Parity
August 20, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourFor countless historical and social reasons, most of the people editing Wikipedia are white men. This has led to broad bias across the world's de facto repository of online knowledge. But a loose affiliation of women are making up the ground by writing and editing the biographies of historically significant women and minorities who might otherwise be overlooked by academic or popular culture. Alli and Jen speak with Rosie Stephenson Goodknight, a lauded Wikipedian with more than 4000 articles...
45 Twitter Is the Last Social Network Left for Nudists
August 13, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourMost social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have firm restrictions on nudity. Twitter is much more lax, making it a digital haven for the nudist community. Taylor Lorenz, a journalist for the Atlantic, breaks down the difference between sexual and non-sexual nudity, and the double standards many tech companies have when it comes to the human body. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
44 The Grandma Guildmaster of Ultima Online
August 06, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourThe multiplayer RPG "Ultima Online" came on the scene in 1997, and it remains a thriving, persistent world to this day, two decades later. Those who prefer the "classic" version host private servers (shards) where longtime players congregate. Alli and Jen speak with Alyssa Schnugg, a grandmother in real life, and a veteran guildmaster in "Ulima Online Forever." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
43 Rise of the Airbnb Superhost
July 30, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourAirbnb has completely revolutionized tourism, but the legal and regulatory battles around whom you can rent your room to rage on. Alli and Jen speak with Evelyn Badia, an Airbnb "Superhost" who makes her living by renting her home to strangers -- often while she's still in it. She shares what makes a great host, and how the rise of Trump changed New York tourism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
42 Bronies: Combating toxic masculinity, one Little Pony at a time
July 23, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourThe reboot of "My Little Pony" has reached fans far beyond the "little girls" demographic. Thousands of adult men self-identify as Bronies: Dudes who love the stories, characters and themes of the whimsical cartoon. Alli and Jen speak with Charlie Worthley, a Brony convention organizer, about this far-reaching community built on acceptance and gender empowerment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 Bug Facebook: The Unlikely Social Media Home for Insect Lovers
July 16, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourThere are Facebook groups for everything -- even jumping spiders. Alli and Jen talk with bug enthusiast and writer Melissa McEwan about the passionate communities that form around insects, insect rights, and cute/terrifying pics of creepy crawlies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
40 Ecosexuality: Because Mother Earth is the hottest MILF of all
July 09, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourMost people love the Earth. But some people really LOVE the Earth. You know, in *that* way. Alli and Jen speak with Jennifer Reed, a PhD studying the rise of ecosexuality -- from performance art to sex with trees, and everything in between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
39 Who is Chuck Tingle? Meet the charming king of self-published gay erotica
July 02, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourErotic author and online sensation Chuck Tingle joins us for a candid conversation about his inspiration for "Pounded In the Butt by My Own Butt" and "Space Raptor Butt Invasion," the idiocy of the Alt-Right, and how the internet transformed his passion for "bud on bud kissing" into a sprawling Tingleverse: Hugo Award-nominated science fiction, a celebrity-powered podcast, and perhaps a feature film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 The psychological price we pay for social media
June 25, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourEven while you're sleeping, your social media persona is engaging with the world. This "always on" mentality is shaping the psychology of a generation. Alli and Jen talk to Dr. Leora Trub, a psychology professor at Pace University, who has authored numerous studies about the power our phones have on mental wellness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37 Jediism: A Star Wars religion for your real spiritual life
June 18, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourSmall collectives of Star Wars fans all over the world follow the spiritual path of the Jedi. But this isn't about fandom or cosplay. They live, train, and work by the Jedi Code. And while this philosophy is rooted in modern science fantasy, the tenets are not much different from the core of Buddhism or Christianity. Alli and Jen speak with the organizer of California Jedi, Katie Mock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
36 Ten facts about internet history you probably don't know
June 11, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourMatt cancels this week's guest and challenges Alli and Jen to the ultimate fan-requested trivia showdown. The stakes could not be higher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
35 This AI-hosted podcast is here to kill us all
June 04, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourProcedural generation is no stranger to media like video games, but it's especially compelling (and creepy) in podcast form. Alli and Jen talk to PhD programmer James Ryan, the creator of Sheldon County, a generative podcast hosted by a synthetic voice that's different for every listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 Who snopes Snopes?
May 28, 2018 07:00 - 56 minutesSnopes.com has been debunking urban legends and internet rumors since the mid '90s. But in an age of unprecedented disinformation coming from the highest authorities and most ubiquitous online platforms, how does a professional fact checker stay relevant and sane? Alli and Jen talk to Brooke Binkowski, managing editor of Snopes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 Reviewing airport carpets is the highest form of artistic criticism
May 21, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourCarpets for Airports is a website and community devoted to critiquing the largest art form ever devised -- the sprawling fabric underfoot when you're rushing to catch a flight. Do airport carpets have artistic and political meaning? Or are they merely functional? Alli and Jen talk to the "benevolent dictator" of the site, George Pendle, about which airport carpets stand the test of time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
32 The hidden cost of the exploding "Gig Economy"
May 14, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourFreelancing is on the rise, thanks in large part to technology. The modern internet allows people to work from anywhere, and access short-term gigs on the regular. Silicon Valley is saving us all from boring desk jobs, and traditional full-time employment is fading. Turns out, making a living as a contractor depends a lot on your socioeconomic background. Alli and Jen speak to Sarah Kessler, the author of "Gigged: The End of the Job and the Future of Work." Learn more about your ad choices. V...
31 We got your emails VOLUME 2
May 07, 2018 07:00 - 22 minutesA terrifying number of people have told us they listen to 2G1P to learn English. Please. THIS IS NOT AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 Know Your Meme: Cataloging 10 years of internet culture
April 30, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourMemes can be as trivial as a waffle falling over or as powerful as a social movement. But defining them, tracking their origins, mutations, and meanings is a tough job. Fortunately, the brave souls at Know Your Meme have been at it for more than a decade so we can rest easy knowing Slender Man and Ugandan Knuckles will be preserved for future generations. Alli and Jen interview Brad Kim, editor-in-chief of Know Your Meme, who started his online odyssey as an immigrant and humble intern. Learn...
29 The story of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything"
April 23, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourFrom its humble beginnings on "Ask Reddit" to the day Obama dropped by, r/IAmA has been the place where anyone on the internet can talk directly to public figures, celebrities, and people with interesting jobs or experiences. Alli and Jen speak with the subreddit's top moderator Brian Lynch about the evolution of "Ask Me Anything," and some its craziest moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 The most terrifying questions people ask on 'Is It Normal?'
April 16, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourIs It Normal? is a website where people anonymously share their uncertain proclivities about behavior, feelings, sex, and more, so strangers can vote on them. But what started as an experimental message board in 2004 has become an existential question about the definition of normalcy on the internet. Alli and Jen interview Udi Falkson, the creator of isitnormal.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 Grandma Party Hotline
April 09, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourTelephone party hotlines are a relic of pre-internet teenage shenanigans. But if you post a phone number on the web and ask a lovable grandma to record the outgoing voicemail ... lots of people will call it. And they'll leave strange messages. Alli and Jen interview the mysterious creator of Grandma Party Hotline, where prank calls meet coping with mortality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 A dating network for conspiracy theorists
April 02, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourIf you believe 9/11 was an inside job, or that the cure for cancer is hidden by drug companies, it might be hard to broach these topics with a new date -- let alone reconcile these deep ideological differences with a long term partner. That's where Awake Dating comes in. It's a network for "truthers" and conspiracy theorists to find like-minded love. Alli and Jen interview its founder, Jarod Fiddon. Support 2G1P on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/2G1P Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
25 We got your emails VOLUME 1
March 26, 2018 07:00 - 16 minutesThanks for your tweets, emails, and voicemails! We love hearing from you, and wanted to respond to a few of our favorite electronic mail messages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 Sugar Dating: Young women seeking men with money
March 19, 2018 07:00 - 1 hourYoung, attractive women dating older men with means is nothing new, but there is an online cottage industry that connects "Sugar Babies" with their prospective "Sugar Daddies." Alli and Jen interview "John," a man who's had ups and downs on sugar dating networks. Support 2G1P on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/2G1P Email us: [email protected] Call the show and leave a message! (347) 871-6548 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices