Conversations with People Who Hate Me

It's 1999, and sixteen years after its original release, a new Star Wars is finally coming. Fans have been camping out in front of theaters across the country just to be the first to see it. The beloved intergalactic saga is set to debut a slew of brand new characters, one of whom is a revolutionary CGI creation named Jar Jar Binks. Whispers begin to spread about big changes coming to the galaxy far, far away – and not everyone's happy about it. Transcripts for The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks are available at go.ted.com/jarjar

Jar Jar Binks became one of the most polarizing figures in cinematic history when he made his debut in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 1999. He was even named “the most annoying movie character of all time” by Complex Magazine. After the release, Ahmed Best, the man who played Jar Jar, was hit with the full force of the backlash — and it nearly destroyed him. The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks is a six-part journey through the early internet to understand how one of the first-ever online hate campaigns began, and to right what we got so wrong about Jar Jar the first time around. Coming June 28 from the TED Audio Collective. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

A conversion therapy survivor speaks to the man who ran the conversion therapy clinic he escaped from. (Part 3 of 3) Order Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: https://tedtalks.social/398oDrs Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Sign up for Dylan's newsletter: https://tedtalks.social/3vOs1zq Transcript for this episode: dylanmarron.com/podcast/episode-guide/episode-46 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

John Smid recounts how he came to run a well-known conversion therapy clinic. (Part 2 of 3) Conversations with People Who Hate Me The Book is out now! Get it here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

Garrard Conley, a survivor of conversion therapy, recounts his experience. (Part 1 of 3) Conversations with People Who Hate Me The Book is out now! Get it here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

This is... NOT an episode of Conversations with People Who Hate Me. We're taking a week off, so instead we're sharing an episode of another podcast from the TED Audio Collective called How to Be a Better Human. It's a show hosted by comedian (and good friend of Dylan's) Chris Duffy, about how we can all learn to be a little less terrible. Dylan was interviewed by Chris last year and shares what he's learned about apologies, forgiveness, and the benefits of taking the time to explore and establish our personal boundaries. If you want to hear more episodes, you can find and follow How to Be a Better Human wherever you're listening to this. And great news—they're hard at work on a new season and will be back weekly in June.

Dylan speaks to a friend who has been openly critical of this project since it began. Conversations with People Who Hate Me The Book is out now! Get it here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: dylanmarron.com/episode-guide/episode-43 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

A listener who is scared of the COVID vaccine speaks to Dylan's doctor about the vaccine's benefits. To learn more about the safety of COVID vaccines, check out the CDC's website here. Find Dr. Keith Roach on Facebook and Twitter. Preorder Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: dylanmarron.com/book Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: dylanmarron.com/podcast/episode-guide/episode-42 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

Dylan tries (and fails) to produce a conversation for Michael James Schneider, a popular artist who is derisively known to some as "balloon guy.” Preorder Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: dylanmarron.com/book Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: https://www.dylanmarron.com/podcast/episode-guide/episode-41 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

Two colleagues speak for the first time since their falling-out in a text message. Preorder Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: https://www.dylanmarron.com/podcast/episode-guide/episode-40 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

A widely recognized actor speaks to a teenager who participated in a misogynistic meme against her. Preorder Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: https://www.dylanmarron.com/podcast/episode-guide/episode-39 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

When Amanda left a snarky comment in response to a sponsored ad, she assumed she was taking a shot at a gigantic corporate entity who wouldn't care what she had to say. In reality, it was a small business run by a husband-and-wife team who are trying to make ends meet. Today, they speak to each other for the first time. Preorder Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: https://www.dylanmarron.com/podcast/episode-guide/episode-38 Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

A young trans man and his mother speak about her struggle to accept his gender identity. Preorder Conversations with People Who Hate Me (the book!) here: https://tedtalks.social/3HUsF3m Submit an episode idea: https://tedtalks.social/3oTuTsd Transcript for this episode: https://tedtalks.social/3LzErCv You can find Janna on TikTok and Instagram at @Jannatransmomma Conversations with People Who Hate Me is part of the TED Audio Collective. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio mixer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: "These Dark Times" by Caged Animals.

The first rule of the internet: avoid the comments sections. On Conversations with People Who Hate Me, host Dylan Marron breaks that rule. He explores what happens when online feuders step out from behind the keyboard and get to know the human on the other side of the screen. Join Dylan as he connects people who have clashed online – from old friends to complete strangers — to explore why we believe what we believe, how we relate to each other on the internet, and just what a phone call can accomplish. While some of the comments and clapbacks quoted aren't for the faint of heart, these conversations will be sure to fill it in this loving show that fosters unlikely connections in an age of increasing digital isolation. Whether Dylan is speaking with someone who wrote him a negative comment or is moderating a call between two strangers at odds, the results are often surprising, usually heartwarming, and always compelling. Conversations with People Who Hate Me is brought to you by the TED Audio Collective and will return in early 2022. Hit subscribe to get new episodes as they're released. You can submit your own story here: bit.ly/CWPWHM And look out for the book, Conversations with People Who Hate Me, releasing March 29, 2022: bit.ly/CWPWHMB

Dylan previews his new podcast Small Triumph Big Speech. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. smalltriumphbigspeech.com

Two longtime friends talk after getting into a Facebook altercation about COVID-19. Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Emily Newman & Mark Stoll (associate producers), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Popular writer, vlogger, and creator Hank Green speaks to someone who tweeted “popular opinion but I hate hank green.” If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Emily Newman & Mark Stoll (associate producers), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

When a Peloton commercial went viral, countless people shared their thoughts online. In this episode, Dylan connects Sean, an actor in that commercial with Tom, a man who called him a loser. If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Emily Newman & Mark Stoll (associate producers), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

A Bernie supporter and an Elizabeth Warren supporter connect after clashing online. If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Emily Newman & Mark Stoll (associate producers), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

In the summer of 2017 journalist Katie Herzog wrote a piece that was widely criticized. Ultimately she found herself at the bottom of a social media pile-on. 3,000 miles east of Katie, a woman named Robyn Kanner joined that pile-on tweeting “ur just trash.” In this episode, taped live in front an audience, Katie and Robyn meet onstage for the first time to discuss what happened between them, and the unlikely twist that brought them closer than they would have ever guessed. If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Emily Newman & Mark Stoll (associate producers), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals. Additional credits for live show: Dustin Flannery-McCoy (field recording), Ben Altarescu & Alan Kudan (live recording).

Host Dylan Marron shares his 2018 TED Talk “Empathy is not Endorsement.” TED Talks Daily features a new TED Talk every weekday. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts. You can watch his talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/dylan_marron_empathy_is_not_endorsement

Dylan speaks to Carl, an old high school classmate, about something Carl wrote online seventeen years ago - before social media as we know it was even invented. If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Dylan speaks to Brian, a stranger who called him a gay slur. If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Celebrated drag queen & winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Bob The Drag Queen chats with James, a stranger who tweeted “I really really really don’t like Bob The Drag Queen.” If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Jesse called Dylan a hypocrite. Dylan admits he may be right. If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Amanda Palmer is a celebrated musician and artist with a whole bunch of devoted fans… and some vocal detractors. In this episode Dylan moderates a conversation between Amanda and a woman who tweeted “I’m not sure I hate any celebrity the way I hate Amanda Palmer.” If you’d like to be a guest on this show fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Phillip Blackowl (logo designer), Mindy Tucker (logo photographer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

“Merry Christmas” can be a divisive phrase. In this episode Dylan connects two strangers who open up to each other about their respective feelings about the holiday season. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Dylan speaks with Nick, a listener of the podcast who had a very personal connection to one of the episodes. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Dylan speaks to a listener about their family dynamics. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Dylan answers listener questions from a man named Kaleb. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Benjamin was a guest on this show and K is a listener who became so upset by Benjamin’s comments said that she publicly wrote “Ben, if you’re reading this I hope you’re eaten alive by wild dogs.” Dylan connected them on a call for this season’s finale. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Dylan talks to Steve who really does not like this podcast at all. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Jabari and Andrew were Facebook friends until the 2016 election tore them apart and one unfriended the other. Dylan connects them on a phone call for their first extended conversation about what happened. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Three years ago Lauren called in to Andrew Ti’s popular call-in podcast Yo Is This Racist? with a question. She felt Andrew and his guest co-host slammed her and has spent the last three years afraid that Andrew hates her. Dylan connects the two of them on a call. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Iain is a college senior who writes a bi-weekly column for his campus newspaper. In commenting on the current state of media he referred to Dylan’s past work as “nauseating” so Dylan called him up to chat. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Lindsay makes a web series that teaches young kids about LGBTQ issues. Lennox is a high schooler who wrote Lindsay a message saying the show is harmful to children. Dylan connects them on a call. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Latinx is the gender-neutral alternative to the terms Latino and Latina. Kat Lazo is a content creator who made a video explaining why some people use it. Alvaro commented “this chic is annoying” beneath that video. Dylan connects them on the phone. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Dylan connects two strangers to talk to about civility in the age of Trump. (Here’s a link to the article referenced in the episode.) Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

A rape survivor speaks to someone who called them a liar. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Intesar told Dylan "bitch talk about Palestine" so Dylan called him up and they did. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Two teenagers from opposite ends of the political spectrum speak to each other about guns in the United States. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.

Alyson anonymously sent herself hateful and homophobic messages online. Dylan Marron asks her why. Want to be a guest on the show and take your own online conversation and move it offline? Fill out the form at conversationswithpeoplewhohateme.com Conversations with People Who Hate Me is a production of Night Vale Presents. Credits: Dylan Marron (creator, producer, host), Christy Gressman (executive producer), Vincent Cacchione (audio engineer, mixer), Rob Wilson (logo designer). Theme song: “These Dark Times” by Caged Animals.