Podcast appearances and mentions of Brian Brushwood

Texas Republicans are about to answer a question that has been hanging over the party since 2024: is partial loyalty to Trump enough anymore, or do you either become fully absorbed into MAGA or get pushed out entirely? Because both John Cornyn and Chip Roy represent different versions of Republicanism that tried, in different ways, to coexist with Trump without completely surrendering to him. And right now it looks like both experiments are failing. Chip Roy backed Ron DeSantis and spent years cultivating the image of an ideological purist who would occasionally buck leadership. Cornyn, meanwhile, did the exact opposite. He spent the last few years trying to carefully stay inside Trump's orbit, hiring Trumpworld operatives and constantly reminding voters how aligned he was with the president. One strategy was confrontation, the other was accommodation, and both may end in political extinction.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Roy situation honestly feels more straightforward. MAGA voters have absurdly long memories when it comes to perceived disloyalty during the DeSantis challenge. Roy spent the last year trying to re-enter the fold by being more cooperative, less antagonistic, more visibly aligned with the movement, but the suspicion never really disappeared. In a normal political environment, Roy's résumé would make him a strong favorite for statewide office in Texas. Instead, he now looks like somebody who made one unforgivable career calculation at exactly the wrong moment. If the polling is right and Mays Middleton wins comfortably, then the lesson Republican politicians will take from this is brutal: you do not get credit for eventually coming home after backing an alternative to Trump. The scarlet letter sticks.Cornyn's downfall is more interesting because he actually played the game correctly, at least according to the old rules. He built institutional support. He raised enormous amounts of money. He aligned himself with Trump operationally. For a while it even looked like it might work. He outperformed expectations in the initial round of voting and there were persistent rumors that Trumpworld had seriously considered endorsing him. But the problem with trying to survive inside Trump politics is that eventually survival itself becomes weakness. Ken Paxton understood this instinctively. He didn't need to prove he was more effective than Cornyn. He just needed to remain more emotionally connected to the base long enough for Trump to make a final decision. Once the endorsement landed, the race effectively stopped being about qualifications and became a referendum on who belonged more naturally inside the MAGA coalition.What's fascinating is that this same dynamic is now showing signs of strain elsewhere. South Carolina Republicans refusing to immediately fall in line on redistricting suggests at least some elected Republicans are beginning to quietly calculate for a post-Trump future. Not necessarily because Trump lacks influence — he very clearly still has it — but because the timing starts to matter. If Trump cannot personally destroy you until after the next election cycle, then maybe you can survive long enough for his attention to move elsewhere. That's the first real symptom of lame-duck politics: not open rebellion, but selective hesitation. Politicians start making small bets that enforcement may become inconsistent.And that's probably the deeper story underneath all of this. Trump still absolutely has the power to end Republican careers. Thomas Massie just learned that. Cornyn is probably about to learn it. Roy may learn it too. But the coalition is also beginning to subtly adapt around the reality that Trump's political clock is finite. The question is whether Republicans are entering a transition period where fear of Trump remains dominant but no longer universally paralyzing. Because once politicians begin believing there are scenarios where they can survive crossing him, even temporarily, then the entire incentive structure inside the party starts to change.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:51 - Final Texas Prediction00:09:05 - AI Ads with Brian Brushwood00:30:23 - South Carolina00:33:54 - Iran00:37:46 - Trump's Physical00:40:47 - AI Ads with Brian Brushwood, con't01:18:25 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood dig into the latest UFO-file buzz and explain why alien discourse so often feels like an endless build with no bass drop. They talk through why so much recent evidence comes down to misunderstood thermal imaging, camera artifacts, cropped data, and human storytelling instincts, while also criticizing skeptics who dismiss possibilities too quickly. That opens the door to a much bigger conversation about SETI, microbial life in the solar system, civilization-scale energy use, holographic-universe theory, Boltzmann brains, vacuum decay, and the idea that reality may be far stranger than the evidence currently supports. In the second half, they pivot to AI tools and computer automation, with Justin describing his Codex-powered daily briefing workflow, Andrew showing off weird science poster experiments and iPhone control via Mac mirroring, and Brian reacting in real time after buying a MacBook to start exploring computer-use agents. They wrap with a few enthusiastic recommendations from TV, movies, and a very niche automotive documentary release. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Knight Rider Declassified trailer and limited-release documentary project Justin Robert Young: 30 Rock season 2 episode “Rosemary's Baby” Andrew Mayne: Michael

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood dig into the latest UFO-file buzz and explain why alien discourse so often feels like an endless build with no bass drop. They talk through why so much recent evidence comes down to misunderstood thermal imaging, camera artifacts, cropped data, and human storytelling instincts, while also criticizing skeptics who dismiss possibilities too quickly. That opens the door to a much bigger conversation about SETI, microbial life in the solar system, civilization-scale energy use, holographic-universe theory, Boltzmann brains, vacuum decay, and the idea that reality may be far stranger than the evidence currently supports. In the second half, they pivot to AI tools and computer automation, with Justin describing his Codex-powered daily briefing workflow, Andrew showing off weird science poster experiments and iPhone control via Mac mirroring, and Brian reacting in real time after buying a MacBook to start exploring computer-use agents. They wrap with a few enthusiastic recommendations from TV, movies, and a very niche automotive documentary release. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Knight Rider Declassified trailer and limited-release documentary project Justin Robert Young: 30 Rock season 2 episode “Rosemary's Baby” Andrew Mayne: Michael

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood dig into the latest UFO-file buzz and explain why alien discourse so often feels like an endless build with no bass drop. They talk through why so much recent evidence comes down to misunderstood thermal imaging, camera artifacts, cropped data, and human storytelling instincts, while also criticizing […]

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young gather to discuss the latest in space exploration and AI developments. They express concerns over the Artemis missions' delays and technical challenges, particularly focusing on the SLS rocket's issues and the ambitious plans for lunar landings involving SpaceX's Starship. The conversation shifts to the AI domain, where they critique the rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic, highlighting the recent controversial Super Bowl ad and the broader implications for AI's future. The trio navigates these topics with a blend of technical insight and skepticism about the political and ethical landscapes shaping space exploration and AI. Picks: Andrew: Codex by OpenAI Brian: Weapons (Movie) Justin: Plane tickets to Florida for a workshop

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the latest in space exploration drama. They start with NASA's Art Two mission facing delays due to a pesky hydrogen leak in their much-mocked SLS rocket. The conversation then shifts to Boeing's embarrassing blunders with their Starliner spacecraft, highlighting the company's fall from grace in space tech. Amidst these tales of aerospace angst, Elon Musk's shifting focus from Mars to the Moon captures the trio's attention, sparking a discussion on the implications for space travel and Musk's sprawling empire under financial scrutiny. Picks: Andrew: 1976 King Kong Justin: Wonder Man series Brian: Decode by Phil P. Barden

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young gather to discuss the latest in space exploration and AI developments. They express concerns over the Artemis missions' delays and technical challenges, particularly focusing on the SLS rocket's issues and the ambitious plans for lunar landings involving SpaceX's Starship. The conversation shifts to the AI domain, where they critique the rivalry between OpenAI and Anthropic, highlighting the recent controversial Super Bowl ad and the broader implications for AI's future. The trio navigates these topics with a blend of technical insight and skepticism about the political and ethical landscapes shaping space exploration and AI. Picks: Andrew: Codex by OpenAI Brian: Weapons (Movie) Justin: Plane tickets to Florida for a workshop

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the latest in space exploration drama. They start with NASA's Art Two mission facing delays due to a pesky hydrogen leak in their much-mocked SLS rocket. The conversation then shifts to Boeing's embarrassing blunders with their Starliner spacecraft, highlighting the company's fall from grace in space tech. Amidst these tales of aerospace angst, Elon Musk's shifting focus from Mars to the Moon captures the trio's attention, sparking a discussion on the implications for space travel and Musk's sprawling empire under financial scrutiny. Picks: Andrew: 1976 King Kong Justin: Wonder Man series Brian: Decode by Phil P. Barden

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young gather to discuss the latest in space exploration and AI developments. They express concerns over the Artemis missions’ delays and technical challenges, particularly focusing on the SLS rocket’s issues and the ambitious plans for lunar landings involving SpaceX’s Starship. The conversation shifts to the AI domain, where […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the latest in space exploration drama. They start with NASA’s Art Two mission facing delays due to a pesky hydrogen leak in their much-mocked SLS rocket. The conversation then shifts to Boeing’s embarrassing blunders with their Starliner spacecraft, highlighting the company’s fall from […]

Brian Brushwood is by trade a magician, but of late has become a security expert. The FBI flew him to Quantico to brief agents on how scams work, and he's become a popular speaker and consultant for large corporations on how to shield against sophisticated scams. The host of "World's Greatest Con" joins to advise Heaton on how not to get screwed. On YouTube at: https://youtu.be/_5PnMjvxTDg

Phil Brown and Brian Brushwood explore the intersection of storytelling and education, emphasizing the importance of engaging learning environments, the role of experience, and the power of empathy. They discuss how effective storytelling can draw in audiences, create connections, and enhance the learning process. Brian shares insights from his journey as a magician and educator, highlighting techniques for crafting compelling narratives and the significance of building relationships over transactional interactions. The discussion culminates in practical advice for educators and storytellers alike, focusing on the art of engagement and the cyclical nature of storytelling.   Storytelling is a powerful tool in education. Engagement begins with a gift to the audience. Experience is essential for effective learning. Empathy enhances the learning process. Building connections is more important than transactional relationships. Good storytelling involves loops and callbacks. Framing learning activities can enhance engagement. The cycle of story, attention, and sales is crucial. Techniques for effective storytelling can be learned. The unofficial start of engagement can create excitement. Reach out to Brian - shwood@gmail.com Learn more about Brian - https://www.shwood.com/ Watch Scam Nation - https://www.youtube.com/@scamschool Read Teller's letter to Brian - https://www.scamstuff.com/pages/the-best-letter-i-ever-received Support the podcast - www.verticalplaypen.org  

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a discussion about a medical emergency that led to an astronaut's early return from the International Space Station, sparking rumors of the first space pregnancy. They then shift gears to the Artemis missions, highlighting the Artemis II mission's goal of sending humans around the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The conversation takes a turn towards the future of space stations, with companies like Vast Space and Axiom Space aiming to build modular, next-generation stations to replace the ISS. The episode wraps up with a critique of the new Starfleet Academy show, expressing disappointment and questioning its target audience. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Fallout Season 2 Justin Robert Young: Tár Andrew Mayne: Dune Part Two

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the curious incident of a Californian homeowner, Kenneth Johnson, who discovered a 550-pound bear living under his house and the challenges he faced in evicting it. The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI and genetic engineering, pondering a future where animals could possess human-like intelligence and the ethical considerations that come with it. They also touch upon the potential for AI to revolutionize our understanding of animal communication, specifically mentioning Google's DeepMind project aimed at deciphering dolphin language. Picks: Andrew: Zootopia 2 Justin: Stranger Things, Episode 9 Brian: Apple's SHARP technology

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the curious incident of a Californian homeowner, Kenneth Johnson, who discovered a 550-pound bear living under his house and the challenges he faced in evicting it. The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI and genetic engineering, pondering a future where […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a discussion about a medical emergency that led to an astronaut’s early return from the International Space Station, sparking rumors of the first space pregnancy. They then shift gears to the Artemis missions, highlighting the Artemis II mission’s goal of […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the curious incident of a Californian homeowner, Kenneth Johnson, who discovered a 550-pound bear living under his house and the challenges he faced in evicting it. The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI and genetic engineering, pondering a future where animals could possess human-like intelligence and the ethical considerations that come with it. They also touch upon the potential for AI to revolutionize our understanding of animal communication, specifically mentioning Google's DeepMind project aimed at deciphering dolphin language. Picks: Andrew: Zootopia 2 Justin: Stranger Things, Episode 9 Brian: Apple's SHARP technology

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a discussion about a medical emergency that led to an astronaut's early return from the International Space Station, sparking rumors of the first space pregnancy. They then shift gears to the Artemis missions, highlighting the Artemis II mission's goal of sending humans around the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The conversation takes a turn towards the future of space stations, with companies like Vast Space and Axiom Space aiming to build modular, next-generation stations to replace the ISS. The episode wraps up with a critique of the new Starfleet Academy show, expressing disappointment and questioning its target audience. Picks: Brian Brushwood: Fallout Season 2 Justin Robert Young: Tár Andrew Mayne: Dune Part Two

Brian Brushwood has been on my radar for the podcast almost since i first began 15 years ago. Since he lives in the Austin area, I always felt I would have time to chat and feature him on an episode. As we approach 1,000 episodes, I'm beginning to shift some guests from the back burner to the front. My son Nick, interned with Brian when he was in the thick of the college circuit in the early 2000's. That was the genesis of many of the future endeavors taken on by Brian like Scam School, Modern Rogue, and even the World's Greatest Con which define Brian's current trajectory.Brian has been and continues to be a trailblazer in our magic community having begun his his own magic career in 1993. He has since garnered the support and admiration of some of magic's biggest names including Jeff McBride, and Teller, one half of the Penn and Teller duo, and even David Copperfield.Since beginning his career in magic, Brushwood has authored six books, including Cheats, Cons, Swindles & Tricks: 57 Ways to Scam a Free Drink; Pack the House: The Ultimate, Ever-Growing Guide to Increasing Attendance to YOUR Campus Events(co-authored with C.J. Johnson); and the Professionals Guide to Fire Eating.Brushwood has made several TV and radio appearances, including appearances on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Roseanne Show, E! Entertainment Television's Talk Soup, the WB's Steve Harveys Big Time, Tech TVs Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, CMTs Most Wanted Live, BBCs The Paul Coyte Show, Westwood One's “Don and Mike Show,” ABC-TV's “The Debra Duncan Show, “The Shannon Burke Show” on KJFK-FM, Dudley and Bob” on KLBJ-FM, “The Morning Zoo” on KASE-FM, as well as news affiliates for ABC, FOX, CBS and Time-Warner. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Brian Brushwood is a magician, podcaster, author, lecturer and comedian. Brushwood is known for the series Scam School, a show where he teaches the audience entertaining tricks at bars so they can "scam" a free drink from their friends. In addition to Scam School, Brushwood hosts Hacking the System on National Geographic Channel and also hosts the podcasts Weird Things, Cordkillers, and Night Attack. Brushwood has been a regular guest on This Week in Tech and previously hosted Game On! with Veronica Belmont on TWiT.Among the many suggestions and links for you to follow, I heartily suggest you follow The World's Greatest Con by Clicking Here. Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Donald Trump's primetime address this week was far less dramatic than advertised, but far more revealing than it looked at first glance. Stripped of the rumors and speculation, the speech functioned as a quiet reset on the issue that matters most to his presidency: the economy.Going into the address, expectations were wildly inflated. Cable chatter and online speculation had convinced many people that Trump was preparing to announce military action in Venezuela or unveil a sweeping foreign policy shift. Instead, the speech clocked in at just under 20 minutes and stayed tightly focused on affordability, inflation, and household pressure. That choice alone tells you where the White House believes its real vulnerability lies.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Trump did something slightly out of character by acknowledging economic strain without declaring immediate victory. He framed the economy as a process rather than a finished product, arguing that recovery takes time and patience. That is a notable shift from his usual insistence that conditions are already excellent. It was not an apology, but it was an admission that voters are not wrong to feel squeezed.Much of the address revolved around tariffs and tax policy, with Trump asking voters to accept short-term pain in exchange for long-term gain. He pitched tariffs as leverage that will eventually lower costs and increase domestic production, and he pointed to upcoming tax benefits tied to overtime, tips, and Social Security as proof that relief is coming. The problem is timing. Politically, promises that hinge on next year's tax filings are hard to feel in the present, especially when prices remain high.Trump's instinct throughout the speech was still salesmanship. He moved quickly, spoke loudly, and leaned on confidence rather than detail. The strongest moments came when he attacked insurance companies and framed his agenda as a fight against corporate abuse. Those lines landed because they matched public frustration. The weaker moments were the familiar optimism that everything is already turning the corner. For voters who do not feel that turn yet, tone matters as much as substance.This address was not about breaking news. It was about recalibration. Trump needed to re-anchor his presidency around the economy and away from foreign policy speculation, legal noise, and internal party drama. In that sense, the speech did its job. It lowered the temperature, narrowed the focus, and reminded supporters what they are supposed to be rooting for.Still, a reset speech only works if reality cooperates. If affordability does not improve, no amount of rhetorical discipline will save the argument. This speech could have been shorter, and it certainly could have been written as a memo. But compared to the expectations of escalation and crisis, it was a deliberate attempt to sound grounded. Whether voters reward that restraint is the question that will define the year ahead.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:34 - Trump's Affordability Speech00:12:23 - Brian Brushwood on Empathy00:28:53 - Update00:29:19 - Marijuana00:33:07 - Appropriations Package00:34:00 - DNC 2024 Report00:38:10 - Brian Brushwood on Empathy, con't01:01:32 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick off the episode with a discussion on the latest AI model updates, including Google's Nano Banana and OpenAI's GP 5.1. They explore the implications of AI personality and its impact on user experience. The conversation shifts to a group chat feature with ChatGPT, enhancing collaboration and consistency across AI interactions. They also touch upon the integration of AI in various platforms and the challenges of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of AI tools. The episode takes a mysterious turn with a scripted segment on Dog Man sightings, blending humor with curiosity about this cryptic creature. Throughout, the hosts engage in sprite generation experiments, adding a playful element to their tech-heavy dialogue. Picks: Justin Robert Young: Edd Brian Brushwood: Death by Lightning Andrew Mayne: Predator: Badlands

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick off the episode with a discussion on the latest AI model updates, including Google’s Nano Banana and OpenAI’s GP 5.1. They explore the implications of AI personality and its impact on user experience. The conversation shifts to a group chat feature with ChatGPT, enhancing collaboration and […]

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick off the episode with a discussion on the latest AI model updates, including Google's Nano Banana and OpenAI's GP 5.1. They explore the implications of AI personality and its impact on user experience. The conversation shifts to a group chat feature with ChatGPT, enhancing collaboration and consistency across AI interactions. They also touch upon the integration of AI in various platforms and the challenges of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of AI tools. The episode takes a mysterious turn with a scripted segment on Dog Man sightings, blending humor with curiosity about this cryptic creature. Throughout, the hosts engage in sprite generation experiments, adding a playful element to their tech-heavy dialogue. Picks: Justin Robert Young: Edd Brian Brushwood: Death by Lightning Andrew Mayne: Predator: Badlands

Today we're going to do something fun. Are you ready?(Press the PLAY button to hear the audio version of today's memo.)I will tell you how to advertise if you will tell me the nature of your business.Advertising can be broken into 6 major categories:Business-to-Business (B2B)Niche Marketing (Niche-S) with a short purchase cycleNiche Marketing (Niche-L) with a long purchase cycleShort Purchase Cycle (B2C-Short) Business-to-ConsumerLong Purchase Cycle (B2C-Long) Business-to-ConsumerMixed Purchase Cycle (B2C-Mixed) Business-to-ConsumerBusiness to Business.B2B: If you are in a business that sells to other businesses, tight targeting will be essential to your success, but you can easily identify the customers you need to target.Their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are readily available and direct mail, phone calls and emails are cheap. If you have some extra dollars, you can place ads in the appropriate trade magazines and websites to elevate your brand.Features, benefits, pricing, delivery, and payment terms are important elements within your message. How well your B2B ad campaign works will depend entirely on what you say.It will depend on what you say.Focus on saying the right things.Now let's talk about Niche Marketing with a Long Purchase Cycle.Niche-L: If you sell a specialty product that appeals to an affinity group, social media is a powerful thing. A powerful thing.Danny sells the most rare, weird, exotic, and inexplicable guns the world has ever known. Firearms collectors are an affinity group. Collectible firearms are a Niche Market with a long purchase cycle.Danny will soon be producing a new daily short and posting it on YouTube 365 days a year. Each short video will be Danny showing you a different gun and telling you the story behind it. He is not going to shoot the gun. He is just going to tell you its story.Danny doesn't need to find gun collectors. Gun collectors will find him. YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine. Danny just needs to produce interesting content.Brian Brushwood taught me that.Would you like to have an invisible garage door like the one that Batman passes through to enter the Bat Cave?Max can do that for you.But invisible garage doors can only be installed in houses that have no masonry. Max needs to locate charming houses with wooden exteriors.He can knock on their doors, leave a door-hanger, or mail them a glorious postcard. Max sells garage doors to a Niche Market with a long purchase cycle.Do you sell an intangible Niche product with a long purchase cycle?Are you a sales trainer, an ad writer, a nutritional expert, a motivational speaker, a psychic healer, an entertainer?Build fame. Ride the tidal wave of fame. Fame leads to word-of-mouth. Be remarkable. Advertising is a tax you pay for not being remarkable.Be remarkable.Next week we'll talk about Short Purchase Cycle Niche Marketing and B2C.We'll talk about B2C.You and me.Roy H. WilliamsPS – When you have achieved a little bit of fame, make yourself easy to find by paying Google for the click whenever someone types your name into the search bar. But that's not advertising. That's just helping people find you when they are looking for you by name. The...

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood embark on a journey through the conceptualization of Handful, a fictional restaurant where gravy is served directly into patrons' hands. The discussion evolves into the realm of AI-generated content, exploring the implications of AI in creative processes and content distribution. The hosts share insights into the rapid development of AI tools and their personal experiences with technology, emphasizing the importance of human connection and collaboration in navigating the future of creativity. Picks: Andrew Mayne: Tron: Ares Justin Robert Young: Netflix doc series on the 90s Cowboys Brian Brushwood: The Chair Company with Tim Robinson

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood embark on a journey through the conceptualization of Handful, a fictional restaurant where gravy is served directly into patrons’ hands. The discussion evolves into the realm of AI-generated content, exploring the implications of AI in creative processes and content distribution. The hosts share insights into the rapid […]

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood embark on a journey through the conceptualization of Handful, a fictional restaurant where gravy is served directly into patrons' hands. The discussion evolves into the realm of AI-generated content, exploring the implications of AI in creative processes and content distribution. The hosts share insights into the rapid development of AI tools and their personal experiences with technology, emphasizing the importance of human connection and collaboration in navigating the future of creativity. Picks: Andrew Mayne: Tron: Ares Justin Robert Young: Netflix doc series on the 90s Cowboys Brian Brushwood: The Chair Company with Tim Robinson

In this episode, Andrew Mayne and Brian Brushwood embark on a philosophical journey through the realms of storytelling, AI’s burgeoning role in creative processes, and the enigmatic app SO’s contribution to communal humor and creativity. They explore Stephen King’s insights on storytelling, the magic of indirect evidence in magic tricks, and the importance of showing […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne and Brian Brushwood embark on a philosophical journey through the realms of storytelling, AI's burgeoning role in creative processes, and the enigmatic app SO's contribution to communal humor and creativity. They explore Stephen King's insights on storytelling, the magic of indirect evidence in magic tricks, and the importance of showing rather than telling in narratives. The conversation then shifts to SO, where they discuss its unique platform that allows for collaborative creativity among friends, using the example of ‘Handful,' a fictional fast-food chain that serves gravy directly into customers' hands. This episode is a testament to the evolving landscape of creativity, where AI and human collaboration open new doors to storytelling and humor. Picks: Andrew: Daredevil Season 2 Brian: Speed Racer (1966)

In this episode, Andrew Mayne and Brian Brushwood embark on a philosophical journey through the realms of storytelling, AI's burgeoning role in creative processes, and the enigmatic app SO's contribution to communal humor and creativity. They explore Stephen King's insights on storytelling, the magic of indirect evidence in magic tricks, and the importance of showing rather than telling in narratives. The conversation then shifts to SO, where they discuss its unique platform that allows for collaborative creativity among friends, using the example of ‘Handful,' a fictional fast-food chain that serves gravy directly into customers' hands. This episode is a testament to the evolving landscape of creativity, where AI and human collaboration open new doors to storytelling and humor. Picks: Andrew: Daredevil Season 2 Brian: Speed Racer (1966)

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young discuss the recent launch of the Soar app by OpenAI, its features, and how it quickly became a platform for both creating AI-generated videos and a new form of social media. They explore the app’s cameo feature, which allows users to create digital avatars […]

We've got a bushel of SWAYSOs first! Chocolate is disappearing, an ongoing "psychic study" tries to recruit Ben, Las Vegas tries to recruit a random ghost hunter, Trump tries to find Amelia Earhart files, and Netflix releases "The Truth about Jussie Smollett?" Then at 43:12, we bring on Brian Brushwood, who Celestia cornered while he was visiting Las Vegas for Scoopfest. We talk about his many shows -- Scam School, Scam Nation, World's Greatest Con, Modern Rogue, Great Night, and NatGeo's "Hacking the System -- as well as his current work in deceptive role play, or "wolf-masking." Brian talks about anxiety being mankind's greatest superpower and the terrifying fact that AI makes even small-dollar scam targets worthwhile.

SUMMARY: We're live at ScoopFest with Brian Brushwood, Justin Robert Young, and all the wonderful Scoops in the audience. Is Brushwood keeping up with Asshole Blackjack? What's up with hygiene at Magic: The Gathering events? YouTube is a hellscape in the comments. Plus we catch up with Brent Mukai, "Captain Morgan," and we're "going to get ice cream" during in-person Scoop Mail.

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood delve into NASA’s recent announcement about potential biosignatures found on Mars by the Perseverance rover. The conversation then shifts to the future of humanoid robots on Mars, with speculation on when the first robotic step might occur. They also touch upon the rapid advancements […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the rapid advancements in AI technology and its implications for the future of work and personal dependence on tech. They discuss the introduction of AI in various sectors, the potential for AI to replace human jobs, and the importance of adapting to and […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood explore the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on the recent advancements in AI models and their implications for creative writing and podcasting. They discuss the introduction of open-source AI models, the nuances of AI-generated content, and share their personal experiences with […]

Plus tech journalism's dinner with Sam Altman, and why you need to be skeptical of that Booking.com link.Starring Tom Merritt, Huyen Tue Dao, and Brian Brushwood.Show notes found here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood embark on a journey through the latest in AI, discussing the release of GPT-4, MH-X AI, Elon Musk’s contributions, and the introduction of ChatGPT’s Agent Mode. They explore the potential of AI to revolutionize tasks from filling out PDFs to creating slide decks, while also touching on […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the whirlwind of AI news, starting with Google’s I/O announcements, particularly their impressive V O 3 image generation model. They then shift to OpenAI’s advancements and discuss the intriguing, yet mysterious, hardware collaboration between OpenAI and Johnny Ive’s design firm. The trio also […]

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the whirlwind of AI news, starting with Google's I/O announcements, particularly their impressive V O 3 image generation model. They then shift to OpenAI's advancements and discuss the intriguing, yet mysterious, hardware collaboration between OpenAI and Johnny Ive's design firm. The trio also touches on Ant Philanthropic's latest AI models, highlighting the rapid pace of AI development and its implications for various industries, especially Hollywood. The conversation veers into speculative territory with thoughts on how AI could revolutionize content creation, from corporate training videos to high school history projects. Despite the excitement, they remain cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the challenges and limitations that still exist. Picks: Brian: Friendship Andrew: Blood Sport Justin: Andor Season 2

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young tackle the whirlwind of AI news, starting with Google's I/O announcements, particularly their impressive V O 3 image generation model. They then shift to OpenAI's advancements and discuss the intriguing, yet mysterious, hardware collaboration between OpenAI and Johnny Ive's design firm. The trio also touches on Ant Philanthropic's latest AI models, highlighting the rapid pace of AI development and its implications for various industries, especially Hollywood. The conversation veers into speculative territory with thoughts on how AI could revolutionize content creation, from corporate training videos to high school history projects. Despite the excitement, they remain cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the challenges and limitations that still exist. Picks: Brian: Friendship Andrew: Blood Sport Justin: Andor Season 2

SUMMARY: We start the show talking about acts that duplicate themselves and how much Monday Night RAW has changed. Matt hosts an avant-garde magic show at Magic Live; was it a success? And Brogan's in town for a Star Trek convention and gets a Cameo invitation to dinner. Plus Scoop Mail, Scoopardy, and Brian Brushwood pops up!

SUMMARY: We start the show talking about acts that duplicate themselves and how much Monday Night RAW has changed. Matt hosts an avant-garde magic show at Magic Live; was it a success? Plus Scoop Mail, Scoopardy, and Brian Brushwood pops up!

Matt and Brian Brushwood join Penn and Reddi for a live Q&A as part of a special creator retreat weekend in Austin, TX. New and old scams, more of Penn's thoughts on AI, the fallibility of memory, Penn's writing process, Penn & Teller's evolving position in the world of magic, and lots more.

Brian Brushwood joins us to explain how he uses camera robots to help him with his podcasting setup. Is it too soon to call Microsoft Copilot+ PCs a failure? Google Labs launches Doppl, a new experimental iOS and Android app that lets you virtually try on outfits via AI generated images of yourself. Starring Sarah Lane, Tom Merritt, Robb Dunewood, Brian Brushwood, Roger Chang, Joe. To read the show notes in a separate page click here! Support the show on Patreon by becoming a supporter!

In this episode of Weird Things, Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young explore the fascinating pace of AI development, demonstrating with a live example how a 2D image can be transformed into a 3D model. They discuss the potential of AI in creating new entertainment and gaming experiences, and the implications of job […]

Andrew Mayne, Brian Brushwood, and Justin Robert Young dive into a variety of topics, starting with the potential signatures of life on the exoplanet K2-18b, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope’s findings. The conversation shifts to the rapid advancements in AI, including the evolution from hydraulic to electric motors in robotics and the implications […]

Magician and podcaster Brian Brushwood talks about deception and skepticism while exploring historical hoaxes, the psychology of magic, the libertarian dystopia of Epcot, and the story behind World's Greatest Con.

Great Night and Ice Cream Social live at Founders Day at Brian Brushwood's compound in Austin, TX.

In this episode, Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood kick things off with a nod to the anniversary of GPT-4, reflecting on its impact and the rapid pace of AI development. The conversation takes a historical detour to the Ramree Island crocodile attack during World War II, with Andrew using AI to sift fact from fiction in this tale of survival and crocodile-infested mangroves. The trio then shifts focus to Colossal Biosciences' efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth, starting with genetically modified mice sporting thicker coats. This step towards de-extinction sparks a debate on the feasibility and ethics of resurrecting ancient species, alongside a whimsical discussion on whether organic or robotic mammoths will roam the earth first. Picks: Justin Robert Young: Levin by Cali Cowboys Boys Brian Brushwood: The Master Algorithm by Pedro Domingos Andrew Mayne: Daredevil Netflix Series