Decoder with Nilay Patel
1,336 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 11 hours ago - ★★★★ - 2.4K ratingsDecoder is a show from The Verge about big ideas — and other problems. Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel talks to a diverse cast of innovators and policymakers at the frontiers of business and technology to reveal how they’re navigating an ever-changing landscape, what keeps them up at night, and what it all means for our shared future.
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Episodes
Andrew Jarecki, "The Jinx" Director
February 11, 2016 05:01 - 33 minutesAndrew Jarecki joins Peter Kafka to talk about the success of true-crime documentary series such as "Making a Murderer," "Serial" and the show he directed, "The Jinx." He also discusses his history in tech as the founder of MovieFone and a new application called KnowMe, which makes it easier to share visual stories about your life from your phone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Mike Cagney, CEO, SoFi
February 08, 2016 05:01 - 48 minutesSoFi CEO Mike Cagney sits down with Kara Swisher to discuss why financial technology startups are suddenly hot and how SoFi hopes to eventually replace your bank, even though it has no permanent physical locations. He also talks about why SoFi is planning to launch a dating app (no, really) and why it ran an ad during Super Bowl 50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mike Cagney, CEO, SoFi
February 08, 2016 05:01 - 48 minutesSoFi CEO Mike Cagney sits down with Kara Swisher to discuss why financial technology startups are suddenly hot and how SoFi hopes to eventually replace your bank, even though it has no permanent physical locations. He also talks about why SoFi is planning to launch a dating app (no, really) and why it ran an ad during Super Bowl 50. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Chet Kanojia, Starry CEO
February 04, 2016 05:04 - 35 minutesStarry CEO Chet Kanojia, formerly the founder and CEO of Aereo, is back with another startup aimed at taking on the man. He sits down with Peter Kafka to talk about Starry, which aims to attack broadband monopolies and duopolies by delivering high-speed consumer Internet over the air. He also discusses fellow disruptor Google Fiber and what the Supreme Court didn't understand about Aereo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chet Kanojia, Starry CEO
February 04, 2016 05:04 - 35 minutesStarry CEO Chet Kanojia, formerly the founder and CEO of Aereo, is back with another startup aimed at taking on the man. He sits down with Peter Kafka to talk about Starry, which aims to attack broadband monopolies and duopolies by delivering high-speed consumer Internet over the air. He also discusses fellow disruptor Google Fiber and what the Supreme Court didn't understand about Aereo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Eric Weiner, Author of "The Geography of Genius"
February 01, 2016 05:01 - 54 minutesEric Weiner, author of New York Times bestseller "The Geography of Bliss" and the new book "The Geography of Genius," talks with Kara Swisher about how where we live can make us smarter and more innovative. He traces genius from Athens to Calcutta to Silicon Valley, and warns that arrogance has ended every golden age in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Eric Weiner, Author of "The Geography of Genius"
February 01, 2016 05:01 - 54 minutesEric Weiner, author of New York Times bestseller "The Geography of Bliss" and the new book "The Geography of Genius," talks with Kara Swisher about how where we live can make us smarter and more innovative. He traces genius from Athens to Calcutta to Silicon Valley, and warns that arrogance has ended every golden age in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nick Denton, Gawker Media Founder, and Jason Epstein, Investor
January 28, 2016 05:01 - 29 minutesGawker Media founder Nick Denton and new board member Jason Epstein, who just bought a minority share of the company, sit down with Peter Kafka to discuss the online media company's rapidly changing outlook. For example, Denton says he's no longer trying to fight against the growing force of Facebook. Plus: How will Gawker deal with the lawsuit from professional wrestler Hulk Hogan heading to trial? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Nick Denton, Gawker Media Founder, and Jason Epstein, Investor
January 28, 2016 05:01 - 29 minutesGawker Media founder Nick Denton and new board member Jason Epstein, who just bought a minority share of the company, sit down with Peter Kafka to discuss the online media company's rapidly changing outlook. For example, Denton says he's no longer trying to fight against the growing force of Facebook. Plus: How will Gawker deal with the lawsuit from professional wrestler Hulk Hogan heading to trial? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Recode Decode: John Zimmer, Lyft President
January 25, 2016 05:01 - 35 minutesLyft President John Zimmer sits down with Kara Swisher to talk about the company's transition from ridesharing to autonomous cars, the focus of a recently announced partnership with GM. He also discusses whether Lyft is being aggressive enough in its competition with Uber and the regulatory challenges both companies face in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
John Zimmer, Lyft President
January 25, 2016 05:01 - 35 minutesLyft President John Zimmer sits down with Kara Swisher to talk about the company's transition from ridesharing to autonomous cars, the focus of a recently announced partnership with GM. He also discusses whether Lyft is being aggressive enough in its competition with Uber and the regulatory challenges both companies face in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Shani Hilton, BuzzFeed Executive Editor of News
January 21, 2016 05:12 - 29 minutesBuzzFeed’s Executive Editor of News Shani Hilton talks with Peter Kafka about how she rose to a leadership role within one of the world's most talked-about new media companies. She discusses how the site's strategies have changed as she manages a staff of more than 100 people. Plus: Why millennials don't need special news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Shani Hilton, BuzzFeed Executive Editor of News
January 21, 2016 05:12 - 29 minutesBuzzFeed’s Executive Editor of News Shani Hilton talks with Peter Kafka about how she rose to a leadership role within one of the world's most talked-about new media companies. She discusses how the site's strategies have changed as she manages a staff of more than 100 people. Plus: Why millennials don't need special news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Max Levchin, Affirm CEO
January 17, 2016 00:36 - 42 minutesAffirm CEO and PayPal co-founder Max Levchin talks with Kara Swisher about being a serial entrepreneur and discovering more about himself in the process. He also discusses why startup founders and investors are increasingly flocking to finance, the problems with banking that tech can solve and what Marissa Mayer is doing right at Yahoo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Max Levchin, Affirm CEO
January 17, 2016 00:36 - 42 minutesAffirm CEO and PayPal co-founder Max Levchin talks with Kara Swisher about being a serial entrepreneur and discovering more about himself in the process. He also discusses why startup founders and investors are increasingly flocking to finance, the problems with banking that tech can solve and what Marissa Mayer is doing right at Yahoo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chris Altchek, Mic CEO
January 14, 2016 10:00 - 28 minutesMic CEO Chris Altchek talks with Peter Kafka about building a news site for millennials and why such a thing should exist in the first place. He explores the differences among newsreading generations and explains what Mic has learned from four years of scaling from a few hundred viewers to tens of millions. Plus: Why there's no silver bullet for social media success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Chris Altchek, Mic CEO
January 14, 2016 10:00 - 28 minutesMic CEO Chris Altchek talks with Peter Kafka about building a news site for millennials and why such a thing should exist in the first place. He explores the differences among newsreading generations and explains what Mic has learned from four years of scaling from a few hundred viewers to tens of millions. Plus: Why there's no silver bullet for social media success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trae Vassallo and Michele Madansky, Co-Authors, "The Elephant in the Valley"
January 11, 2016 10:00 - 43 minutesFormer Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner Trae Vassallo and former Yahoo exec Michele Madansky sit down with Kara Swisher to talk about "The Elephant in the Valley," their new report on gender bias and harassment in tech. The report examines the different facets of sexism through both data and anecdotes from hundreds of women. Later on: Lauren Goode and Kara Swisher are launching a new podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Trae Vassallo and Michele Madansky, Co-Authors, "The Elephant in the Valley"
January 11, 2016 10:00 - 43 minutesFormer Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner Trae Vassallo and former Yahoo exec Michele Madansky sit down with Kara Swisher to talk about "The Elephant in the Valley," their new report on gender bias and harassment in tech. The report examines the different facets of sexism through both data and anecdotes from hundreds of women. Later on: Lauren Goode and Kara Swisher are launching a new podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Recode Decode: Albert Wenger, Union Square Ventures Partner
January 07, 2016 10:00 - 35 minutesUnion Square Ventures partner Albert Wenger talks with Peter Kafka about being an investor at a time of bubble anxiety and political debate about the trade-off between privacy and security. He argues that tech companies and the government should work together, and also discusses the growing class of mission-driven "benefit corporations." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Albert Wenger, Union Square Ventures Partner
January 07, 2016 10:00 - 35 minutesUnion Square Ventures partner Albert Wenger talks with Peter Kafka about being an investor at a time of bubble anxiety and political debate about the trade-off between privacy and security. He argues that tech companies and the government should work together, and also discusses the growing class of mission-driven "benefit corporations." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Happy Re/New Year 2016; CES Preview
January 04, 2016 10:00 - 50 minutesIt's an all-star lineup of reporters from Re/code and The Verge in this special episode, featuring Kara Swisher, Lauren Goode, Casey Newton and Noah Kulwin. The team discusses the top tech stories of 2015, including online harassment, Google's restructuring and the wearable revolution that wasn't. Then, they preview CES 2016 and reflect on whether the annual trade show is still relevant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Happy Re/New Year 2016; CES Preview
January 04, 2016 10:00 - 50 minutesIt's an all-star lineup of reporters from Re/code and The Verge in this special episode, featuring Kara Swisher, Lauren Goode, Casey Newton and Noah Kulwin. The team discusses the top tech stories of 2015, including online harassment, Google's restructuring and the wearable revolution that wasn't. Then, they preview CES 2016 and reflect on whether the annual trade show is still relevant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Rufus Griscom, Heleo CEO
December 31, 2015 10:00 - 20 minutesHeleo CEO Rufus Griscom talks with Peter Kafka about trying to build a "BuzzFeed for brains" that can distribute Big Ideas to the broader Internet. He also discusses the founding of his two previous startups, Nerve.com (which sold to IAC) and Babble (which sold to Disney), and why big media companies may be losing interest in star writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rufus Griscom, Heleo CEO
December 31, 2015 10:00 - 20 minutesHeleo CEO Rufus Griscom talks with Peter Kafka about trying to build a "BuzzFeed for brains" that can distribute Big Ideas to the broader Internet. He also discusses the founding of his two previous startups, Nerve.com (which sold to IAC) and Babble (which sold to Disney), and why big media companies may be losing interest in star writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Niccolo de Masi, Glu CEO; Top Gadgets of 2015
December 28, 2015 10:00 - 50 minutesGlu Mobile CEO Niccolo de Masi talks with Kara Swisher about Glu's hit games like Kim Kardashian: Hollywood and Katy Perry Pop, and what makes them different from earlier video games based on licensed intellectual property. He also handicaps the future of the gaming business, and discusses what will separate the winners from the losers. Later on: Kara Swisher and Lauren Goode review the top gadgets of 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Niccolo de Masi, Glu CEO
December 28, 2015 10:00 - 50 minutesGlu Mobile CEO Niccolo de Masi talks with Kara Swisher about Glu's hit games like Kim Kardashian: Hollywood and Katy Perry Pop, and what makes them different from earlier video games based on licensed intellectual property. He also handicaps the future of the gaming business, and discusses what will separate the winners from the losers. Later on: Kara Swisher and Lauren Goode review the top gadgets of 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ev Williams, Medium CEO
December 24, 2015 10:00 - 32 minutesMedium CEO Ev Williams talks with Peter Kafka about founding his third company that makes it easier to "write on the Interwebs," and what makes Medium different from Blogger and Twitter. He also discusses why publishing on anything other than a platform doesn't make sense any more, and offers some insight into why Twitter's board seemingly changed its mind about Jack Dorsey's eligibility to be CEO again.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Ev Williams, Medium CEO
December 24, 2015 10:00 - 32 minutesMedium CEO Ev Williams talks with Peter Kafka about founding his third company that makes it easier to "write on the Interwebs," and what makes Medium different from Blogger and Twitter. He also discusses why publishing on anything other than a platform doesn't make sense any more, and offers some insight into why Twitter's board seemingly changed its mind about Jack Dorsey's eligibility to be CEO again.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Recode Decode: Jeremy Stoppelman, Yelp CEO
December 21, 2015 10:00 - 53 minutesYelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman talks with Kara Swisher about spending a decade at the helm of the local-recommendations site, and the new challenges posed by private companies that can out-raise the public Yelp. He also explains why he thinks quasi-competitor Google has ?lost its mind.? Later on: Kara Swisher and Lauren Goode don virtual reality headsets that are powered by smartphones and talk about the inevitable dystopian future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...
Jeremy Stoppelman, Yelp CEO; Virtual Reality Shenanigans
December 21, 2015 10:00 - 53 minutesYelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman talks with Kara Swisher about spending a decade at the helm of the local-recommendations site, and the new challenges posed by private companies that can out-raise the public Yelp. He also explains why he thinks quasi-competitor Google has ?lost its mind.? Later on: Kara Swisher and Lauren Goode don virtual reality headsets that are powered by smartphones and talk about the inevitable dystopian future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Katie Nolan, Fox Sports TV Host
December 17, 2015 08:00 - 23 minutesKatie Nolan talks with Peter Kafka about how she went from Tumblr to YouTube to television, specifically Fox Sports 1, where she hosts "Garbage Time with Katie Nolan." They also discuss online harassment and why Nolan thinks the only logical response to trolls is fighting back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Katie Nolan, Fox Sports TV Host
December 17, 2015 08:00 - 23 minutesKatie Nolan talks with Peter Kafka about how she went from Tumblr to YouTube to television, specifically Fox Sports 1, where she hosts "Garbage Time with Katie Nolan." They also discuss online harassment and why Nolan thinks the only logical response to trolls is fighting back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Recode Decode: Marc Lore, Jet.com CEO
December 14, 2015 05:00 - 45 minutesJet.com CEO Marc Lore talks with Re/code's Senior Commerce Editor Jason Del Rey about trying to build a new e-commerce giant when rival Amazon has a 20-year lead. Also: Why is Jet.com raising so much money? Later on: Kara Swisher, Lauren Goode and special guest Ina Fried discuss "The Hunchback of Cupertino," Apple's new iPhone battery case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Marc Lore, Jet.com CEO; Apple's Ugly Battery Case
December 14, 2015 05:00 - 45 minutesJet.com CEO Marc Lore talks with Re/code's Senior Commerce Editor Jason Del Rey about trying to build a new e-commerce giant when rival Amazon has a 20-year lead. Also: Why is Jet.com raising so much money? Later on: Kara Swisher, Lauren Goode and special guest Ina Fried discuss "The Hunchback of Cupertino," Apple's new iPhone battery case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Brian Rolapp, NFL Media Czar
December 10, 2015 05:00 - 33 minutesThe NFL's media czar Brian Rolapp talks with Peter Kafka about why Internet companies might (or might not) get the rights to a soon-to-be-auctioned set of games. They also discuss what makes live sports different from other forms of TV and the impact of fantasy sports on the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Brian Rolapp, NFL Media Czar
December 10, 2015 05:00 - 33 minutesThe NFL's media czar Brian Rolapp talks with Peter Kafka about why Internet companies might (or might not) get the rights to a soon-to-be-auctioned set of games. They also discuss what makes live sports different from other forms of TV and the impact of fantasy sports on the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Recode Decode: Dick Costolo, Former Twitter CEO
December 07, 2015 05:01 - 55 minutesFormer Twitter CEO Dick Costolo sits down with Kara Swisher to talk about what he's doing next, what he thinks of Twitter's future under Jack Dorsey and why men often fail to "do diversity." Later, Lauren Goode wheels in to Kara's desk to answer readers' questions about "hoverboards." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dick Costolo, Former Twitter CEO; Hoverboards
December 07, 2015 05:01 - 55 minutesFormer Twitter CEO Dick Costolo sits down with Kara Swisher to talk about what he's doing next, what he thinks of Twitter's future under Jack Dorsey and why men often fail to "do diversity." Later, Lauren Goode wheels in to Kara's desk to answer readers' questions about "hoverboards." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ricky Van Veen, CollegeHumor Co-Founder
December 03, 2015 10:00 - 32 minutesIn this first episode of Peter Kafka's new weekly "Re/code Decode" interviews, CollegeHumor co-founder Ricky Van Veen sits down with Peter to talk about monetizing content on the Internet and why it's so hard. Plus: Why is a lot of that content moving to "old" platforms like TV, and who's more powerful, Rupert Murdoch or Mark Zuckerberg? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Ricky Van Veen, CollegeHumor Co-Founder
December 03, 2015 10:00 - 32 minutesIn this first episode of Peter Kafka's new weekly "Re/code Decode" interviews, CollegeHumor co-founder Ricky Van Veen sits down with Peter to talk about monetizing content on the Internet and why it's so hard. Plus: Why is a lot of that content moving to "old" platforms like TV, and who's more powerful, Rupert Murdoch or Mark Zuckerberg? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO; Holiday Gift Guide
November 30, 2015 10:00 - 53 minutesAirbnb CEO Brian Chesky talks with Kara Swisher about being in Paris during the city's recent terror attacks, and what the hospitality company is doing after a major political win in San Francisco. Later, Lauren Goode gets a new job as Kara's personal shopper, with some help from The Verge's holiday gift guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO
November 30, 2015 10:00 - 53 minutesAirbnb CEO Brian Chesky talks with Kara Swisher about being in Paris during the city's recent terror attacks, and what the hospitality company is doing after a major political win in San Francisco. Later, Lauren Goode gets a new job as Kara's personal shopper, with some help from The Verge's holiday gift guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Recode Decode: B.J. Novak and Dev Flaherty, The List App Co-Founders
November 25, 2015 09:00 - 50 minutesThe List App co-founders B.J. Novak and Dev Flaherty talk about their new mobile-social app for making lists and how tech is changing the entertainment world. Later, Lauren Goode joins Kara to talk about Apple's new iPad Pro and whether it's worth the upgrade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
B.J. Novak and Dev Flaherty, The List App Co-Founders; iPad Pro
November 25, 2015 09:00 - 50 minutesThe List App co-founders B.J. Novak and Dev Flaherty talk about their new mobile-social app for making lists and how tech is changing the entertainment world. Later, Lauren Goode joins Kara to talk about Apple's new iPad Pro and whether it's worth the upgrade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Brent Bushnell and Eric Gradman, Two Bit Circus Co-Founders; New BlackBerries
November 18, 2015 05:00 - 44 minutesTwo Bit Circus CEO Brent Bushnell and CTO Eric Gradman talk with Kara Swisher about their high-tech circus, STEAM Carnival; fixing education; and why playing games will break down kids' aversion to the sciences. Later, Lauren Goode finds out if the new BlackBerry Priv is good enough to challenge Kara's iPhone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Brent Bushnell and Eric Gradman, Two Bit Circus Co-Founders
November 18, 2015 05:00 - 44 minutesTwo Bit Circus CEO Brent Bushnell and CTO Eric Gradman talk with Kara Swisher about their high-tech circus, STEAM Carnival; fixing education; and why playing games will break down kids' aversion to the sciences. Later, Lauren Goode finds out if the new BlackBerry Priv is good enough to challenge Kara's iPhone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aaron Levie, Box CEO; Android vs. iOS
November 11, 2015 05:00 - 52 minutesBox CEO Aaron Levie talks with Kara Swisher about the next wave of enterprise companies and why having $80,000 is better than having $10 million. Later on: How could switching between iOS and Android be easier? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recode Decode: Aaron Levie, Box CEO
November 11, 2015 05:00 - 52 minutesBox CEO Aaron Levie talks with Kara Swisher about the next wave of enterprise companies and why having $80,000 is better than having $10 million. Later on: How could switching between iOS and Android be easier? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sequoia Capital Chairman Sir Michael Moritz, Food Delivery Services
November 04, 2015 05:00 - 56 minutesVenture capitalist and co-author of "Leading" Michael Moritz talks with Kara Swisher about the history and future of investing and leadership. Later on: Do food delivery services have a place outside of San Francisco? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices