So, Bob
45 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsWhat is technology doing to you?
Civilian podcast producer Alia Tavakolian has always felt like a dumb tech consumer.
Veteran tech-journalist Bob Sullivan has spent his life showing people they're not dumb tech consumers - they're being hacked.
Each week, Bob and Alia join forces to answer your questions and untangle your sanity from this dark, scary world wide web.
So, Bob is a Spoke Media original.
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Episodes
Introducing: UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT
August 08, 2023 08:00 - 2 minutesHey hey! We've got a new mystery podcast we think you'll love - UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT. Alia & Bob both worked on this one, and you'll even hear Bob's voice in it, too! You can binge the whole series right now - follow UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any of the podcast places. UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT In 1996, Sue Knight was found dead in her Athens, TX, home. Her will named a loose acquaintance as the executor of her estate, but after an alleged phone call from the CIA and a...
Introducing: Wild Wild Tech
August 05, 2020 07:35 - 9 minutesWe've got a sneak peek of a new podcast we think you're going to love - Wild Wild Tech! Would you be surprised to find out scientists are using World of Warcraft to learn how to fight COVID-19? What if I told you that I could spoil almost any movie based on who uses an iPhone? Or how about the fact that Disney is afraid of butts? Well, that’s Wild Wild Tech, the podcast that brings you the wildest, most bizarre, most interesting stories about how tech is shaping our culture. Hosted by Jordan ...
No Place To Hide: Catching Up On The Data Broker Project
May 04, 2020 08:35 - 16 minutesIn the final installment of our data broker project, Duke students Carter Forinash and Jake Satisky talk about what it took to remove all of Keith Reynold's information from the web. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
No Place To Hide: The Ghost Of 2030
April 27, 2020 08:35 - 47 minutesIn a decade, the world will look pretty bleak if nothing is done to put some guardrails around invasive technologies. What rules, what innovations, might save us from this dark future? National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141 Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
No Place To Hide: I Spy...
April 20, 2020 08:35 - 40 minutesWhat does it feel like to be watched? What if you aren't even aware you've been spotted in the first place? National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141 Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
No Place To Hide: On Location
April 13, 2020 08:35 - 33 minutesWe know why privacy matters, but we all have this vague sense like it’s slowly being taken away from us. So, the irresistible question is, what might the future look like if our privacy is gone completely? National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141 Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 18
April 10, 2020 08:35 - 15 minutesIt's the last check-in for awhile and Bob and Alia have poems, a song and some words of encouragement for you. The song you heard today was River of Happiness, by the one and only Dolly Parton. If you have any good things to share, don't hesitate to message us on Twitter @SoBobPod, email us at [email protected], or call us at 253-470-8398. We love hearing from you. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 17
April 09, 2020 08:35 - 18 minutesIt's Thursday. Let's think about some good things. Things we reference in this episode: -If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); they also have a live chat option -Dolly Parton is reading us bedtime stories! -We talked with Rachel Gibson, from The National Network to End Domestic Violence Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 16
April 08, 2020 08:35 - 10 minutesTime to take your daily dose of Bob and Alia. Things we reference in this episode: -If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at1-800-799-SAFE (7233); they also have a live chat option -Be on the look out for our miniseries, No Place to Hide, dropping next Monday! Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 15
April 07, 2020 08:35 - 15 minutesJust a couple of good things for ya on a Tuesday. Things we referenced in this episode: -Young Isles Fan's B-day Celebration -Samuel L. Jackson's New Book - Stay the F*ck At Home Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 14
April 06, 2020 08:35 - 18 minutesThis is your reminder to call someone you love and check in on them. Things we reference in this episode: -If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); they also have a live chat option -Psychology Today is a great place to search for a therapist -Apps like Talkspace and Better Help are great resources for virtual therapy as well Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 13
April 03, 2020 08:35 - 20 minutesIt's Friday and it's time for (you guessed it) your daily dose of good news from Bob and Alia. Things we referenced in today's episode: -Animal Crossing -Animal Crossing song Alia is obsessed with -Bob's Church in Louisville -Today's song is Ooh Child by The Five Stair Steps Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 12
April 02, 2020 08:35 - 23 minutesChecking in with some very good things. Things we mentioned in this episode: -Bob's Tech Garage Cleanout -NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts -T-Pain's Tiny Desk Concert -Tank and the Bangas Tiny Desk Concert Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 11
April 01, 2020 08:35 - 16 minutesWe've got some silver linings (and exploding kittens) for ya today. Things we referenced in this episode: Exploding Kittens Home Safari - Cincinnati Zoo Tom Petty - Free Fallin' Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 10
March 31, 2020 08:35 - 15 minutesIt's Tuesday and time for some good news. Things we referenced in today's episode: -Teddy Bear Hunts -John Krasinski's new YouTube series: Some Good News -Earth, Wind and Fire - Keep Your Head to the Sky Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 9
March 30, 2020 08:35 - 16 minutesHappy Monday. Bob and Alia have some good things to brighten your morning. Spoiler alert: it involves Lizzo. Meditate with Lizzo Now, listen to the Meditation Remix Lastly, wave to your local grocer, truck driver, or mailman today. Coconut Oil Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 8
March 27, 2020 08:35 - 23 minutesA couple good things for you on a Friday. Featuring So, Bob Story Editor and all around Good Human Carson McCain. Things we reference in this episode: -Sir Patrick Stewart Reading Sonnets on Instagram -When I Am Older - Olaf's song from Frozen 2 -You'll Never Walk Alone Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 7
March 26, 2020 08:35 - 16 minutesSome days are hard. But here's a silver lining for ya. Things we referenced in this episode: -Snohomish Fire Department Teaching Kids Math and Science -Snohomish, WA -Clint McElroy is Reading One Chapter of The Hobbit Everyday -Clint McElroy Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 6
March 25, 2020 08:35 - 15 minutesGet ready for some good things. Things we referenced in today's episode: -Story Time From Space -Random acts of kindness! Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 5
March 24, 2020 08:35 - 14 minutesIt's Tuesday. Time to check in and dance it out. Things we reference in this episode: -Ryan Heffington's Dance Class on IG Live (seriously, do it - it's giving us all LIFE) -You can Venmo Ryan @Ryan-Heffington -Vin Scully LA Times Interview Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 4
March 23, 2020 08:35 - 17 minutesGood Morning. It's your daily silver lining. Things we referenced in today's episode: Concellation 2020 Nowruz - Persian New Year Song: Soltane Ghlabha (there is also this more modern version by Persian superstars Leila Forouhar & Aref) Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 3
March 20, 2020 08:35 - 14 minutesHey, you. Bob and Alia are here to tell you something good. Things we referenced in today's episode: -Pick of the Litter -Debbie Allen's Free Dance Class -Vince Burke, DPT Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 2
March 19, 2020 08:35 - 15 minutesHear that? It's the sound of some good news. Things we referenced in today's ep: -https://helpmainstreet.com/ -Lemons! Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Checking In - Day 1
March 18, 2020 14:50 - 19 minutesHow are you? Alia calls Bob to find out and share something good. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
No Place To Hide: A Dangerous Moment
December 09, 2019 09:35 - 44 minutesWe know privacy means life or death to some people. We know that corporations and congress have sat back and done next to nothing to address privacy. So, what can be done now that we’re here? Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
No Place To Hide: Mistakes Were Made
December 02, 2019 09:35 - 43 minutesPeople have been worrying about privacy for decades, even before the Internet. So...where did we go wrong? Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
No Place To Hide: Life Or Death
November 25, 2019 09:35 - 48 minutesPrivacy isn’t a luxury. For some a threat to privacy can be a matter of life or death. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Hotline: 212-714-1141 Visit TechSafety.org for information on technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Is A Cashless Society In Our Future?
November 18, 2019 14:38 - 45 minutesWhat are the implications of going cashless? Is this a good thing or a bad thing, or a little bit of both? Bob and Alia talk to Gartner research analyst Avivah Litan to find some answers. Curious to learn more about a cashless future? Go to https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ for more info. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Minisode: Do VPNs Actually Work?
November 11, 2019 09:35 - 18 minutesDo VPNs protect our security and privacy like they all claim? What are they anyway? Bob answers this question in our final minisode of the season! Thanks to David in Quebec for asking today's question. Curious to learn more about VPNs? Visit https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ for more info. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Can Dungeons And Dragons Teach Me How To Be A Good Human?
November 04, 2019 09:35 - 52 minutesIs the renaissance of tabletop games in part thanks to tech? Can Dungeons and Dragons actually teach me how to be a better human? Join Alia as she joins a band of thieves in her very first D&D campaign. This week’s guests are journalist and author Mary Pilon and Dungeon Master Victoria Rogers of The Broadswords. Dying to know more about today's ep? Head to https://bobsullivan.net/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Minisode: Should I Diversify My Devices?
October 28, 2019 08:35 - 21 minutesShould I go all-in on one tech company, knowing that it has all of my data? Or is it more wise to diversify the companies I give my information to? Bob tackles this confusing question on today's minisode. Thanks to Tyler in Shawnee, Kansas for sending in today's question. Want to learn more about this topic? Check out https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Has Texting Made My Relationship Better?
October 21, 2019 08:35 - 52 minutesDoes texting actually have the ability to make us closer? Has the dating landscape changed now that we are introducing tech into the mix? Bob and Alia find out with the help of Love Letters host Meredith Goldstein and therapist Aida Manduley. Curious about today's episode? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Minisode: Is Alexa Listening To My Conversations?
October 14, 2019 08:35 - 19 minutesSmart Homes: Good or Bad? Will we be able to settle the debate once and for all? A listener is concerned about whether or not Amazon Echo is actually listening to all of her private conversations. Thanks to Alison in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania for this week's question! Curious about today's topic? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
What Can I Do to Unhack My Life? with Gretchen Rubin
October 07, 2019 08:35 - 43 minutesHow does tech affect our happiness? Can it help us achieve it? In a special interview episode, join Alia, Bob, and author Gretchen Rubin on a journey about happiness, the four tendencies, and how you can use tech to your advantage. Curious about today's topic? Check out more info at https://bobsullivan.net/topics/sobob/ So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
So Bob...We're Back!
September 23, 2019 08:35 - 1 minuteWhen we left off with Bob and Alia in season 1, they were wondering about the seemingly bleak state of technology. Is tech really all bad? Are there any answers to our burning questions? In Season 2, they set off to find some reasonable hope in the world of tech (even if it’s just a little). Join us for season 2 of So, Bob, where Alia and Bob find some of the brighter corners of technology, alongside the dim ones. Coming October 7. Also, stay tuned for a special miniseries sponsored by Intel ...
Do I Have the Right to Be Forgotten?
July 01, 2019 08:35 - 49 minutesWhat happens when our personal photos and videos are used without our consent? When are our photos no longer ours? Our guests this episode are Eva Galperin and Mary Pilon. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Is Targeting Creepy?
June 24, 2019 08:35 - 51 minutesAt what point does targeting cross the line from useful to creepy? Isn’t it weird that ads nowadays seem to know you better than you know you? Our guest this episode is Jules Polonetsky. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Minisode: Why Does Google Maps Need WiFi?
June 17, 2019 08:35 - 19 minutesWhy does Google Maps ask me to have my WiFi enabled to improve location accuracy? Thanks to Maggie in D.C. for today’s question. Go here and see a map of where you've been and when -- on Google. Feel weird about what Google knows about your location? Go to this page and manage your location history. Want to see all the WiFi networks near you? Visit WiGLE.netWe mentioned that Google has gotten in hot water in the past over the way Wi-Fi and the Street View part of its mapping product. Here's o...
Are We at the End of Attention?
June 10, 2019 08:35 - 40 minutesHas technology ruined our ability to focus? Will we ever be able to get that back? Our guest this episode is journalist and author Annie Murphy Paul. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Minisode: How Safe Are Password Managers?
June 03, 2019 08:35 - 22 minutesPassword managers are a great solution to remembering 100+ passwords, but are they actually safe? What makes a good password anyway? This week’s question comes from a listener on Twitter. Here are the new definitive NIST guidelines on passwords. Bruce Schneier explains this here. Ok, so just how secure are password managers? Pretty secure, but not perfect. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Is Technology Fueling Overwork?
May 27, 2019 08:35 - 42 minutesIs my ability to work from anywhere actually hindering me? How much does overwork affect my wellbeing? Our guest this episode is author Brigid Schulte. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Minisode: What Does My Smart Meter Say?
May 20, 2019 08:35 - 22 minutesShould I be boycotting smart meters? A listener asks an important question about a piece of tech that most of us didn’t know was tracking us. Thanks to Brian in Lansing for this week’s question. Last year, a federal court ruled that consumers retain their expectation of privacy around smart meter data. The Electronic Frontier Foundation's legal argument in the case can be found here. Info on what smart meters actually collect can be found here. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax ra...
Who’s Been Recording Me While I Sleep?
May 13, 2019 08:35 - 41 minutesWhat happens when an app records you in your sleep? And then tells you to pay to hear recordings? Is that like, legal?? Alia and Bob search for answers. Our guest this episode is privacy lawyer Sinzi Gutiu. So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
Internet: Good or Bad?
May 06, 2019 08:35 - 32 minutesIs the internet ruining our lives? But what about puppy pics and Twitter friends and immediate access to information?! For the very first episode of So, Bob, Alia and Bob tackle the world’s easiest question: is the internet good or bad? So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%
So, Bob…what is this show?
April 15, 2019 04:39 - 2 minutesComing May 6: Bob & Alia join forces to answer your questions and untangle your sanity from this dark, scary world wide web. So, Bob is a safe, welcome space for understanding what technology is doing to you. We’ll be dropping episodes weekly starting May 6. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing! Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%