Podcast appearances and mentions of bridget todd

Friend of the show Bridget Todd joins us to break down all the ways AI has become woven into our dating and intimate lives for better or worse, in ways that are not as new as you might think. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you judge people who are emotionally attached to their chatbots? Bridget Todd used to read stories about people forming intimate relationships with AI and think, “That’s so pathetic. That is so sad. That could never be me.” But when she needed support during a hard time, AI was there for her. Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls on the Internet and author of Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, joins Oz to explain what’s really happening in these human-machine relationships – and why human connection reigns supreme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, the gals welcome Bridget Todd, author and host of There Are No Girls On the Internet, to discuss a doped-up dog, a most unwelcome hospital visitor, the worst best friend, sneeze-farts, beginner porn, an update from the Methodists, and yet another victim of Hobby Lobby. Tune in now for Gossip at the Corpse Cart! For a full list of show sponsors, visit https://wineandcrimepodcast.com/sponsors. To advertise on Wine & Crime, please email ad-sales@libsyn.com or go to advertising.libsyn.com/winecrime.  

Go to https://surfshark.com/404Media or use code 404Media at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark! Tech companies want you to believe that the chatbots they profit from are the always ready, never judgemental, constantly affirming friend in our pockets. But are the people using them as companions under some kind of deep self-delusion? Or are they seeking something else?  This week I'm joined by Bridget Todd. Among many other projects and accomplishments, Bridget is the creator and host of the award winning podcast There Are No Girls on the Internet, is a Fellow at the MacArthur Foundation, and an affiliate at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Her new audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, launched in July with coauthor Michael Amato. We talk about her work interviewing people who use chatbots to fill an emotional need, how people who engage in romantic, intimate and erotic roleplay with LLMs are mocked for it, and how tech companies are implicated in all of this. In her new book, you'll hear from experts in the field of AI companionship, but also from people who have nuanced, interesting interactions with chatbots every day. Bridget's book is her most vulnerable work yet: She unpacks and critiques her own use of ChatGPT during a crisis, and reveals what she learned about herself, her friendships and real-life relationships, and what it means to maintain human connections in a world where tech companies are constantly trying to exploit our innermost worlds. Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy New Study Reveals the Manipulative ‘Dark Patterns' of AI Chatbots ‘It's Hurting Like Hell': AI Companion Users Are In Crisis, Reporting Sudden Sexual Rejection ChatGPT's Hail Mary: Chatbots You Can Fuck Youtube Version: https://youtu.be/qCk-7r7lp8Y Subscribe at 404media.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file. How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1 The Dangers of Silica ft. Kim Kelly How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd Fighting for Incarcerated Workers Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! Sources/Links: How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241274187 https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/hormuz-fertilizer-guano-islands-act-fertilizer-empire/ https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/navassa-island-the-uss-160-year-forgotten-tragedy https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-26/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-puerto-ricans-are-us-citizens-poll https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/politicatypes https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/puerto-rico-independence-movement https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/ https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/ https://apnews.com/article/american-samoa-voting-citizenship-alaska-trump-eda6c32ce0fcdca6edb22efac26e403d https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-controls-iraqs-oil-revenues-2026-01-23/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/magazine/venezuela-empires-colony.html https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-state-trump-rodriguez-chavismo-silence-634203c885803b018ecd8ac012bb249d https://time.com/article/2026/06/02/trump-annex-canada-51st-state-rhetoric-carney-us-partnership-message/ https://theconversation.com/us-territories-have-a-voice-in-congress-but-no-vote-heres-why-283547 https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longest-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puerto-rico-greenland-n1237336https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest“Nationals” but not “Citizens” https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship-to-american-samoans How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826 Fighting for Incarcerated Workers https://audrasrealthoughts.wordpress.com/ https://incarceratedworkers.org https://www.instagram.com/incarceratedworkers/ https://www.jailhouselawyersspeak.com/new-page Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election https://x.com/CBPCommissioner/status/2089395143136731579?s=20https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/19/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-fell-six-percent-steep-losses-chipmakers/2411787132055/ https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/shares-fall-asia-kospi-57-oil-prices-jump-135759997https://x.com/atrupar/status/2089911556301550045?s=20 https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.3_3.pdf https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.8_2.pdfhttps://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.6_3.pdfhttps://archive.ph/ZF3Y0#selection-4307.0-4307.372 https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73489661/212/united-states-v-sant/ https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117119807819944656 https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-confirms-irgc-backchannel-calls-irans-white-flag-surrender https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vessel-struck-by-unknown-projectile-strait-hormuz-crew-casualty-reported-ukmto-2026-08-18/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/no-talks-with-iran-says-trump-as-us-president-stews-over-hormuz-deal https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2089719923295556095?s=20 https://x.com/UK_MTO https://x.com/RudawEnglish/status/2089263666742931732?s=20 https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failedhttps://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/30/General-Dynamics-Corps-alleged-proposal-to-sell-a-wrench/2171439016400/https://time.com/archive/6710343/general-dynamics-under-fire/ https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/18/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-trump-ceasefire-expires-extension-.htmlhttps://www.newsnationnow.com/world/us-iran-economic-strain-strait-of-hormuz-conflict/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/business/strait-of-hormuz-ship-attack.htmlhttps://archive.is/f4Ei8#selection-4447.0-4447.264https://www.reuters.com/world/china/selling-grips-bond-markets-us-japan-inflation-fiscal-worries-take-hold-2026-08-18/ https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/treasury-announces-upscaled-buyback-operation-for-longer-term-debt-sending-yields-lower.html https://www.businessinsider.com/bond-market-warning-yields-hit-2007-record-2026-8 https://angienixon.com/ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/florida-senate-results#democratic-primary https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/florida-democratic-senate-primary-results.html https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2087282981593387046?s=20 https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088252309243297868https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088037851086614842?s=20 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/15/democratic-socialists-progressives-tout-momentum-in-south-florida-skeptics-say-its-a-myth/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tech writer and podcaster Bridget Todd was sure she'd never get attached to A.I. chatbots. She was suspicious of the companies behind them, and when she saw articles popping up about people who said they loved their bots, she said she found their situations sad and potentially dangerous. Besides, Bridget didn't have an empty hole in her life to fill. She had a supportive human partner. She had friends and a tight knit family. But then Bridget's life started to unravel. After the death of her parents, she was flooded with fear, grief and a kind of isolation she was not prepared for. That's when she started telling A.I. what she couldn't tell the people in her life. Its responses filled a void. In this episode of “Modern Love,” Bridget tells its host, Anna Martin, what happened when the boundary between human and digital companion got fuzzy, and what life looks like for her on the other side.  Bridget's audio book, “Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy,” is out now. Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay.  Here's how to submit a Tiny Love Story. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Free 10 Day Couples Challenge Try Relationship Academy Can artificial intelligence ever truly replace the messy, necessary friction that defines genuine human intimacy? While emerging technology promises seamless interactions and shortcut solutions to interpersonal conflict, relying on smooth algorithms can quietly erode the reciprocity and vulnerability required for deep bonds. In this episode, tech journalist Bridget Todd joins the hosts to discuss navigating AI in our personal lives while maintaining authentic connection, intentional transparency, and personal agency. Main Talking Points: Human Versus Artificial Intimacy Value of Relational Friction Prioritizing Transparency and Consent Preserving Genuine Reciprocity Corporate Extraction Concerns Reclaiming Personal Agency True relational health doesn't come from outsourcing our emotional labor to algorithms, but from actively choosing presence and honesty amidst life's friction. When we prioritize mutual effort over algorithmic convenience, we protect the depth and safety that make human connection irreplaceable. Bridget Todd's Website: https://www.bridget-todd.com Give Me Discounts! Kiwi Fodzyme - Get 30% off your first order!  Tanasi - Use code “relationship" for 25% off your first order. *If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a⁠ review in iTunes⁠? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! – Colter, Cayla, & Lauren Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 2109, Jack and Miles are joined by author of Love At First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy and host of There Are No Girls on the Internet, Bridget Todd, to discuss… David Ellison Does NOT Give a fuck about the film industry, Couple More Pitches for Proactive Platforms for the Emerging Leftwing Movement, McDonald’s Is Secretly Going Full Minority Report, Hollywood’s Hottest Trend Is… The Threat Of Nuclear War? And more! Billionaire David Ellison Is Blackmailing Hollywood Bonta: Paramount 'eager' for a settlement Your McDonald’s File is Probably Bigger Than Your FBI File McDonald’s Built a 515-Page Dossier on Me. It Says I’ll Never Stop Eating There The Brink of War: Pay it Forward Film Screening: The Brink of War The Brink of War Trailer #1 (2026) The Phantom Menace: How an unproven, widely mocked technology scared the Soviets into ending the Cold War. Nuclear Anxiety, That Staple of 1980s Cinema, Is Back Why nuclear war movies are blowing up Nuclear War Movies Are Back Legendary, ‘Dune’ Helmer Denis Villeneuve Re-Team On ‘Nuclear War: A Scenario’ Mike Fleming Jr: Why James Cameron Is Hellbent On Making ‘Ghosts Of Hiroshima’ Japan-Set Movie That Will Bring Nightmare Look At A-Bomb Blasts How the US took on Dr Strangelove and tried to make Americans love the bomb Picturing Armageddon: US Government Responses to Nuclear War Movies ‘Fail Safe’ At 60: The Pentagon Hated This Classic Suspense Drama About Nuclear Catastrophe LISTEN: Tun by LZeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reality TV is a harmless guilty pleasure...or is it? Find out in this classic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As much as you love Chicago, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love Denver, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love Salt Lake City, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love Pittsburgh, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love Portland, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We've got your election results in yesterday's state and federal primary and municipal general election. Plus: As much as you love Nashville, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor that really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 7th episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here's everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

As much as you love Madison, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love DC, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On our first call-in episode, DC's very own Bridget Todd joins City Cast Seattle host Jane C. Hu and City Cast CEO David Plotz to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor that really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love Las Vegas, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

As much as you love Philly, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y'all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today's very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it's acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Jared is joined by author and tech journalist Bridget Todd to talk about her new book, Love at First Prompt! They also discuss

In honor of the release of her audiobook Love at First Prompt, Bridget Todd breaks down the questions we should be asking about the relationships people form with AI, the attempts to legislate around them, and the companies profiting from the desire for emotional connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is AI romance inevitable? And who are the people in these relationships? Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls On The Internet, joins us to talk about her new audiobook Love At First Prompt, where she speaks to real people who have found solace and comfort with AI chatbots.Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen.This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI romance inevitable? And who are the people in these relationships? Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls On The Internet, joins us to talk about her new audiobook Love At First Prompt, where she speaks to real people who have found solace and comfort with AI chatbots.Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen.This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI romance inevitable? And who are the people in these relationships? Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls On The Internet, joins us to talk about her new audiobook Love At First Prompt, where she speaks to real people who have found solace and comfort with AI chatbots.Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen.This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay.Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you have a best friend who is available 24/7 and never wavers in their loving support of you? And does this perfect friend just give and give without ever asking for anything in return? Enter the AI chatbot who makes perfect, one-sided friendships like this increasingly common. In truth, it can be temptingly easy to form a relationship--or even in fall in love--with a corporately owned algorithm that beneficently soothes and satisfies your emotional needs. And while there are upsides to such relationships, downsides such as dependency, lower emotional intelligence (EQ) and reduced interpersonal skills are also in the mix. Today, we're joined by Bridget Todd, author of "Love at First Prompt." Bridget is a journalist, podcast host, award-winning creator, and producer who will guide us into the complex and poignant world of AI relationships, artificial intimacy, loneliness, healing, true connection, and genuine love.Topics discussed include love, friendship, AI companion, companionship, relationships, genuine connection, intimacy, grief, loss, parents, children, empathy, patience, loneliness, memories, self-growth, personal development, AI hallucinations, artificial intelligence, chatbots, tolerance, building memories, and dependency.IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: No expert is offering medical or psychological direction or advice; the content is purely informational in nature. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider before undertaking any new regimen or procedure.Connect with Dr. Carla Manly:Website: https://www.drcarlamanly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarlamanly/Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/drcarlamanly/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcarlamanlyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-marie-manly-8682362b/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_carlamanly_imperfect_loveTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_carla_manlyBooks by Dr. Carla Manly:Joy From Fear: Create the Life of Your Dreams by Making Fear Your Friend Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships and Love Fearlessly Aging Joyfully: A Woman's Guide to Optimal Health, Relationships, and Fulfillment for Her 50s and Beyond The Joy of Imperfect Love: The Art of Creating Healthy, Securely Attached Relationships Imperfect Love Relationship & Oracle Card Deck by Dr. Carla Manly:Etsy AmazonConnect with Bridget Todd:Website: https://www.bridget-todd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetmarieindc/?hl=enSimon Audio Socials:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimonAudio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simon.audioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simon.audio/?hl=enLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://drcarlamanly.com/

AI girlfriends are everywhere. So why are the humans they're replacing being pushed off the internet? This is a chapter from Internet Hate Machine host Bridget Todd’s new Simon & Schuster audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy. In this conversation, Bridget sit down with 404 Media cofounder Samantha Cole to unpack the booming business of AI companions, sex bots, and erotic role play. They explore why tech companies are racing to build AI girlfriends while human sex workers continue to face censorship, deplatforming, and financial discrimination. It's a conversation about labor, consent, power, and what happens when Big Tech decides to monetize our most intimate relationships. If you enjoy this episode, you can find Love at First Prompt wherever audiobooks are sold, or learn more at LoveAtFirstPrompt.AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are increasingly turning to AI for companionship. But behind every AI companion is a company that owns the technology, collects the data, and programs how these relationship work. So what happens when corporations become intermediaries in our most intimate relationships? In this episode, we’re diving into the ethics, risks, and future of AI intimacy. I am joined once again by Bridget Todd, an award-winning creator, host, and producer. She hosts the critically acclaimed podcast There Are No Girls on the Internet, and Mozilla’s award-winning podcast IRL: Online Life is Real Life. Bridget is a Technology in the Public Interest Fellow at the MacArthur Foundation and an affiliate at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. She is also author of the new audiobook Love at First Prompt. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What makes the business model behind AI companions so concerning? What risks arise when a corporation mediates an intimate relationship? How do consent and autonomy differ in AI relationships versus human ones? What should users know about privacy when interacting with AI? Does AI companionship reduce loneliness, or make it worse? You can find Bridget on her website and on Instagram @bridgetmarieindc, and you can check out Love at First Prompt here. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Load Boost is a supplement designed to improve the taste, volume, and overall health of your semen. If you want to elevate your sexual performance, check out Load Boost from VB Health. Visit vb.health to learn more and save 10% with code JUSTIN. If you’re looking to gain a broad understanding of human sexuality or refresh your knowledge, check out the upcoming Human Sexuality Intensive courses at the Kinsey Institute: https://kinseyinstitute.org/learning/human-sexuality-intensive.html  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Margaret continues her talk with Bridget Todd about the origins of folk music and the man who dedicated his life to preserving traditional art. Sources: https://acousticguitar.com/alan-lomaxs-steel-string-discoveries/https://pinemountainsettlement.net/biography-a-z/alan-and-elizabeth-lomax-visitors/Alan Loman: The Man who Recorded the World, John SzwedBring Judgment Day: Reclaiming Lead Belly's Truths from Jim Crow's Lies, Sheila Curran BernardAndy Cohen, personal correspondencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loYoTc7Aw0ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people hear about someone falling in love with an AI companion, their first reaction is often disbelief. But as AI becomes woven into everyday life, more people are turning to it not just for information, but also for companionship, emotional support, friendship, and even intimacy. So what draws people into these relationships, and what can they teach us about human connection? My guest is Bridget Todd, an award-winning creator, host, and producer. She hosts the critically acclaimed podcast There Are No Girls on the Internet, and Mozilla’s award-winning podcast IRL: Online Life is Real Life. Bridget is a Technology in the Public Interest Fellow at the MacArthur Foundation and an affiliate at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. She is also author of the new audiobook Love at First Prompt. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What needs are people trying to meet through AI companionship? Why has eroticism become such a central use of artificial intelligence? How does AI’s constant validation shape these relationships? What benefits do people report from AI companions? What does the rise of AI companionship reveal about modern dating? You can learn more about Bridget on her website and on Instagram @bridgetmarieindc, and you can check out Love at First Prompt here. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Breathable, soft, and built for summer, check out Cozy Earth’s bamboo sheet set and beach towels. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code JUSTIN for an exclusive 20% off.  Load Boost is a supplement designed to improve the taste, volume, and overall health of your semen. If you want to elevate your sexual performance, check out Load Boost from VB Health. Visit vb.health to learn more and save 10% with code JUSTIN. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Margaret talks with Bridget Todd about the origins of folk music and the man who dedicated his life to preserving traditional art Sources: https://acousticguitar.com/alan-lomaxs-steel-string-discoveries/https://pinemountainsettlement.net/biography-a-z/alan-and-elizabeth-lomax-visitors/Alan Loman: The Man who Recorded the World, John SzwedBring Judgment Day: Reclaiming Lead Belly's Truths from Jim Crow's Lies, Sheila Curran BernardAndy Cohen, personal correspondencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loYoTc7Aw0ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy July! What are you going to do this month? Mike Schaffer, Bridget Todd, and Kaela Cote-Stemmermann to talk about the best of eating, drinking, and exploring D.C. in July — especially the part after Independence Day.  For even more tips on how to make the most of July in D.C., check out City Cast D.C.'s take on what to do this month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 1st episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Spur Local Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.

Bridget Todd breaks down the proliferation of Flock cameras and how they're used to stalk women and hurt marginalized communities by law enforcement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a very big night for DC's left. With a little under two-thirds of the vote counted, Janeese Lewis George is up big over Kenyan McDuffie in first-choice votes for the Democratic mayoral election. Her fellow democratic socialists are leading a couple of DC Council races, and a top progressive is way ahead in another. And progressive Robert White appears to have run away with the race for DC Delegate to Congress. It is 4:30AM the morning after election day. Michael Schaffer, Emma Uber and Bridget Todd were at watch parties last night and are breaking down what we know so far. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 17th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Department of Behavioral Health National Museum of the American Indian Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Generative AI has been creating race-based content, and the results are...uncomfortable.Brittany's been getting served a lot of AI generated videos of older Asian men, who seem to be feng shui experts of some kind, espousing the benefits of having a “lazy wife” in your household. But it doesn't stop there. Today's guest, Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls on the Internet and author of the audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, has been ringing the alarm about AI generated videos featuring Black women. Some are AI slop, while others perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Black women -- and there's a market for it.Bridget joins the show to get into how generative AI has skewed perceptions around race, gender, and privilege online.Bridget's first audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, is available for pre-order now from LoveAtFirstPrompt.AI and comes out July 14th from Simon & Schuster. Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We’re taking a short hiatus from publishing here, but will continue publishing weekly news roundups on our Patreon. Anyone can listen for free, without ads, at our Patreon at tangoti.com/roundup . There are new stories there today, so please check it out after you listen to this episode! There Are No Girls on the Internet is a weekly podcast and newsletter hosted by Bridget Todd covering the tech, internet, and culture stories that deserve more attention — especially when they're about AI, power, gender, race, and who actually gets hurt when systems fail. We read the internet so you don't have to. This week: The Social Network is getting a sequel and Jeremy Strong is playing Zuckerberg, a bombshell ProPublica investigation into raw milk and the kids it's put in the hospital, and Bill Gates testified before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein — totally voluntarily, he cannot stress this enough.

We read the internet so you don't have to. There Are No Girls on the Internet is a weekly podcast and newsletter hosted by Bridget Todd covering the tech, internet, and culture stories that deserve more attention — especially when they're about AI, power, gender, race, and who actually gets hurt when systems fail. This week: Meta's AI chatbot helped hackers steal Instagram accounts, a debate over who owns the phrase "Hot Girls Read," new AI legislation, and more.

There's a difference between posting a picture of your child on social media and making a business out of posting content about your child. Bridget Todd joins us to talk about some new research around the detrimental impacts and consequences of using children to get clicks and engagement in this classic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There Are No Girls on the Internet is a weekly podcast hosted by Bridget Todd. Every week, we break down the tech and internet stories that deserve more attention — especially when they're about AI, power, gender, race, and who actually gets hurt when systems fail. This week: Elon Musk using a Hollywood casting decision to push white nationalist conspiracy theories. The government is surveilling people who oppose data centers as potential terrorists. The DOJ is going after a billionaire who helped fund E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit against Trump. And researchers who study online hate speech being threatened with deportation. If that sounds like your thing — Apple Podcasts | Spotify | and come back every week. HERE’S WHAT WE’RE WATCHING THIS WEEK:

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast DC host Bridget Todd, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Bridget beat out her competitors from Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities? Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 26th episode: Arena Stage Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Petworth PorchFest Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There Are No Girls on the Internet is a weekly podcast hosted by Bridget Todd. Every Friday we drop our news roundup — the tech and internet stories that don't get enough attention, the ones about AI, power, gender, race, and who actually gets hurt when systems fail. This week: Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. New roundup every Friday.

A lot of conversations about AI are either sales pitches (“the efficiency!”) or horror stories (“the extinction!”). This week, Bridget Todd, technologist and host of There Are No Girls on the Internet, joins us for something better—an informed, 100% human discussion of what it will take to make AI work for us, and whether there's still time to do that. (Yes, but move fast.)  She, host Brittany Packnett Cunningham, and group-chat regular Dr. David Johns break it down in a wide-ranging conversation: Together, they unpack the rise of AI-generated Black identities, nude deepfakes, the risks to child safety, and what to do about “girlboss AI.” It's an episode that challenges us to think critically about the systems shaping our lives…because nothing about this future is inevitable.   Follow Brittany: https://www.instagram.com/MsPackyetti https://www.tiktok.com/@mspackyetti https://www.youtube.com/@MsPackyetti https://www.threads.com/@mspackyetti   Episode website: https://www.stayundistracted.com To subscribe to The Meteor: https://www.wearethemeteor.com/newsletters https://collective.media  

Bridget Todd joins us to break down the resurgence of the girlboss mindset, now with AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would Denver be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital?  Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Would Salt Lake City be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital?  Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

THIS WEEK ON THERE ARE NO GIRLS ON THE INTERNET There Are No Girls on the Internet is a weekly podcast hosted by Bridget Todd. Every Friday we drop our news roundup — the tech and internet stories that don't get enough attention, the ones about AI, power, gender, race, and who actually gets hurt when systems fail. This week: AI-enabled stalking lawsuits. Fake AI-generated identities. Labor protests outside billionaire-sponsored galas. Kids bypassing online safety systems with fake mustaches. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. New roundup every Friday.

Candace Owens has pivoted many times in her career, but some things have remained the same. Bridget Todd sheds light on her early career, some turning points, and how her brand can lead to radicalization in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our ongoing look at what is going on with ICE in the US (and elsewhere), we hone in on the numerous issues surrounding detention centers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THIS WEEK ON THERE ARE NO GIRLS ON THE INTERNET Hi — if you found us through Instagram, you're in the right place. There Are No Girls on the Internet is a weekly podcast hosted by Bridget Todd. Every Friday we drop our news roundup — the tech and internet stories that don't get enough attention, the ones about AI, power, gender, race, and who actually gets hurt when systems fail. This week: AI-enabled stalking lawsuits. Fake AI-generated identities. Labor protests outside billionaire-sponsored galas. Kids bypassing online safety systems with fake mustaches. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. New roundup every Friday.

Bridget Todd joins us to break down the 2010 film The Social Network, a drama chronicling the founding of Facebook. We discuss male insecurity, rage and misogyny in the tech industry, and how the story hits now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of Trump's loss in the 2020 election, he and his cronies attacked two Black women poll workers, Ruby Freeman and Shay Moss, baselessly claiming they had tampered with votes. In this classic episode, Bridget Todd breaks down why this was so effective, the online eco-system that amplified it, and the ramifications.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.