So, Bob

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What 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 q…

Spoke Media


    • Aug 8, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 45 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from So, Bob

    Introducing: UNDER COVER OF KNIGHT

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 2:36


    Hey 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 dire warning from the local sheriff, the executor stopped asking questions. More than 25 years later, Sue's memory haunts the town of Athens and the people who knew her. Who was Sue, really? Why did this English expat settle in small-town Texas? And could she still be alive? Texas Tax rate at 80% of 8.25%

    Introducing: Wild Wild Tech

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 9:33


    We'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 Erica Webber and Joshua Rivera, every week on Wild Wild Tech they uncover infamous stories at the intersection of pop culture and tech, learn from the experts, and talk to the people who lived through some truly strange tales. These are the tech stories that are seldom told - but once you hear them, you won’t be able to forget them. Take a listen to this clip, and then go check out the first 3 episodes of Wild Wild Tech wherever you get your podcasts. Or just click this link! https://bit.ly/WildWildTech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    covid-19 world disney world of warcraft warcraft wild wild tech joshua rivera jordan erica webber
    No Place To Hide: Catching Up On The Data Broker Project

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2020 8:10


    In 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    No Place To Hide: The Ghost Of 2030

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 38:54


    In 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    No Place To Hide: I Spy...

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 31:28


    What 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    No Place To Hide: On Location

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 24:46


    We 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 18

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 12:48


    It'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 sobob@spokemedia.io, or call us at 253-470-8398. We love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2020 16:11


    It'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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 8:09


    Time 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2020 12:52


    Just 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 14

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 15:54


    This 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 17:54


    It'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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    checking ooh child
    Checking In - Day 12

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 20:57


    Checking 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 14:14


    We'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' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 10

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 12:36


    It'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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 9

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 13:52


    Happy 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2020 21:17


    A 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 13:55


    Some 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2020 13:23


    Get ready for some good things. Things we referenced in today's episode: -Story Time From Space -Random acts of kindness! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2020 12:02


    It'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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2020 15:20


    Good 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2020 11:48


    Hey, 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2020 12:34


    Hear that? It's the sound of some good news. Things we referenced in today's ep: -https://helpmainstreet.com/ -Lemons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Checking In - Day 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 16:34


    How are you? Alia calls Bob to find out and share something good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    No Place To Hide: A Dangerous Moment

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2019 36:09


    We 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?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    No Place To Hide: Mistakes Were Made

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2019 34:32


    People have been worrying about privacy for decades, even before the Internet. So...where did we go wrong? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    No Place To Hide: Life Or Death

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2019 40:07


    Privacy 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Is A Cashless Society In Our Future?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 41:32


    What 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Minisode: Do VPNs Actually Work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2019 12:19


    Do 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Can Dungeons And Dragons Teach Me How To Be A Good Human?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2019 49:00


    Is 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Minisode: Should I Diversify My Devices?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2019 14:32


    Should 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Has Texting Made My Relationship Better?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2019 49:08


    Does 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Minisode: Is Alexa Listening To My Conversations?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2019 13:06


    Smart 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What Can I Do to Unhack My Life? with Gretchen Rubin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2019 40:06


    How 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    So Bob...We're Back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 1:47


    When 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 on the state of privacy today. What have we gotten right? What have we gotten wrong? And what can we do to change it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Do I Have the Right to Be Forgotten?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2019 45:57


    What 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    right to be forgotten mary pilon eva galperin
    Is Targeting Creepy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 48:06


    At 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    creepy targeting jules polonetsky
    Minisode: Why Does Google Maps Need WiFi?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2019 12:58


    Why 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 one story about it.  So, Bob is a Spoke Media original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Are We at the End of Attention?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2019 36:53


    Has 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Minisode: How Safe Are Password Managers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2019 16:05


    Password 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Is Technology Fueling Overwork?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2019 38:49


    Is 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Minisode: What Does My Smart Meter Say?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2019 16:22


    Should 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Who’s Been Recording Me While I Sleep?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2019 36:43


    What 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Internet: Good or Bad?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2019 28:24


    Is 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    So, Bob…what is this show?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2019 2:36


    Coming 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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