Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff
Society & Culture
About
Douglas Rushkoff sits down with scientists, activists, artists, philosophers, and researchers asking the same question: who actually benefits from the way we've built this world — and what do we do about it? Team Human is a weekly podcast about technology, power, consciousness, and what it means to stay human in a world that increasingly doesn't seem designed for us. No corporate backing. No network. No algorithm deciding what gets said. Just honest, rigorous conversation with people working at the edges of the most important questions of our time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Escaping the Simulation: A Somatic Guide to Reality
Douglas Rushkoff discusses a different way of navigating existence based on somatic resonance rather than strategic manipulation. This perspective arose from his experiences at a shamanic workshop in Costa Rica.
- The Magic of the Broken: David J (Bauhaus / Love and Rockets)
Douglas Rushkoff speaks with musician and writer David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets). They discuss the spaces between music, magic, and the human heart, and David J's new book, 'Rhapsody, Threnody and Prayer.'
- AI Angels, Demons, and the Fight for the Future (w/ Philip Rosedale)
Philip Rosedale, founder of Second Life, discusses AI, contrasting AI developed with corporate values against distributed AI with independent ethical development. He suggests the creation of "angel" AI through shared computing resources an…
- "What If" Is the Enemy of Fascism (w/Brian Eno)
Douglas Rushkoff is joined by musician and producer Brian Eno. They discuss the necessity of moving away from the certainty of victory and into the delight of surrender, exploring the question of what art is for.
- Exposing the Billionaire Funding Behind AI Safety Movements (w/ Kat Tenbarge)
Douglas Rushkoff and Kat Tenbarge discuss the intersection of AI, digital harassment, and political maneuvering. They explore the economy of deepfakes, digital violence, and the personal and legal toll of investigating influencer harm.
- The Internet Felt Like This in 1994. AI Might Be Our Last Chance.
Douglas Rushkoff shares his initial experience with AI, using it to rebuild his website. He discusses the creative potential of AI while also addressing its environmental costs, resource depletion, and labor displacement. The episode contr…
- Disaster Capitalism and the Case for Leveling Down - Rushkoff on Crazy Town
On the Crazy Town podcast, Douglas Rushkoff discusses "disaster capitalism" and the concept of "leveling down." The conversation explores this strategy for navigating late-stage capitalism and achieving balance with the planet.
- The Lobotomy of History: Reclaiming Our Extraordinary States (w/ Jeffrey Kripal)
Douglas Rushkoff is joined by Jeffrey Kripal, Associate Dean and Professor at Rice University, to discuss Kripal's book, The Superhumanities: Historical Precedents, Moral Objections, New Realities. They explore themes such as moving beyond…
- The Holy War Delusion: Is it Time to Retire Our Religions?
In this episode, Douglas Rushkoff discusses the crisis of modern faith, examining how religious identities are weaponized by nationalism and literalism. He explores topics such as Christian Nationalism, the challenges of literal interpreta…
- Grant Morrison: The Enemies of Humanity Are Wielding Occult Power
Grant Morrison joins Douglas Rushkoff to discuss how the tech elite use "occult power" and algorithmic "binding spells." They explore how collective imagination can be used to reclaim reality from these influences.
- The Tech Elite’s “Frictionless” Fantasy (And Why It Will Fail)
Douglas Rushkoff reflects on his appointment to the Club of Rome and their "The Limits to Growth" warning. He examines how the tech elite
- The Internet Is an Occult Machine (w/ Shira Chess)
Douglas Rushkoff and Shira Chess discuss Chess's book, "The Unseen Internet: Conjuring the Occult in Digital Discourse." They explore the connection between technology and magic, the transformation of the internet, and algorithmic conspiri…
- My Dinner With Jeffrey: What the Epstein Files Reveal About Us All
In this episode, Douglas Rushkoff addresses why his name appears in the Epstein files, connecting it to a 90s dinner party experience. He explores the philosophical lineage he believes contributed to a worldview that enabled the abuse of w…
- Do Tech Billionaires Want Us Dead? (w/ Taylor Lorenz)
Douglas Rushkoff and Taylor Lorenz discuss online safety legislation and the intentions of tech billionaires. They also explore how to reclaim the internet from tech authoritarianism.
- The Esoteric State of the Union: Magic, Will, and the New Neighborhood with Mitch Horowitz
Douglas Rushkoff and Mitch Horowitz discuss the nature of magic, will, and belief, exploring their impact on reality. They delve into topics such as retrocausality, the concept of a "New Neighborhood," Trump as a "Chaos Magician," the powe…
- Is It Fascism or Just a Lack of Impulse Control? With Jonathan Larsen
In this episode, Jonathan Larsen and Douglas Rushkoff discuss authoritarianism and resistance. Larsen suggests that perceived fascism may be a lack of impulse control, leading to a discussion on effective, tactical, and local resistance me…
- We’re Soaking In It: Why It’s Too Late to Prepare for Authoritarianism
This episode of Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff discusses the concept of authoritarianism. Douglas Rushkoff argues for a shift in focus from abstract media and politics to the immediate environment.
- We Are Time Travelers: Retrocausality & The Long Self with Eric Wargo
Eric Wargo joins Douglas Rushkoff on Team Human to discuss retrocausality. They explore the idea that the future influences the past and Wargo's concept of the "Long Self."
- Cameron Berg: Alien Minds & Self-Other Overlap - Teaching AI Empathy
Cameron Berg, an AI researcher, discusses Frontier Alignment Research and the concept of "Alien Minds." The conversation also covers the "sleeper agent" phenomena in AI models.
- You're Not Crazy: Reality Has Grown Absurd
Douglas Rushkoff argues that the built environment has become convoluted, leading to a sense of
- Tom Llewellyn: Is Sharing the New Satanism?
Tom Llewellyn and Douglas Rushkoff discuss how sharing can offer practical alternatives to extraction-based economics, highlighting the roles of Libraries of Things and mutual aid. They also explore why sharing is often seen as a threat to…
- Ari Kuschnir: Trump Ayahuasca - AI and the Alchemical Imaginary
Ari Kuschnir, an AI storyteller and artist, discusses the alchemy of AI storytelling as a form of social practice. He explores AI as a creative collaborator and a tool to challenge dystopian narratives.
- Cracks in the Pavement
Douglas Rushkoff discusses why the urgency and inevitability of our situation calls for consideration of the impossible. This episode is from Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff.
- Vicki Robin: Parable of the Tribes
Vicki Robin, author of "Your Money or Your Life," joins Douglas Rushkoff to discuss how aging can shift one's perspective from personal to universal. They also explore the significance of showing up for each other in challenging times.
- Jeremy Lent: Reweaving Civilization
In this episode, Jeremy Lent discusses the patterns of thought contributing to civilization's current sustainability crisis. He explores how to develop new thought patterns to address these challenges.
- Arden Leigh: Chasing the Hungry Ghosts
Arden Leigh, creator of The Re-Patterning Project, joins Douglas Rushkoff on Team Human to discuss fostering individual and collective creative power.
- The Joy of Becoming Worthless…except to each other
Douglas Rushkoff discusses the history of work and the potential societal changes resulting from the end of traditional employment. He suggests that this shift could foster increased cooperation, creativity, and human connection.
- Jonathan Larsen: This is Just the Beginning - Enacting the Team Human Agenda
Jonathan Larsen joins Douglas Rushkoff to discuss the 2025 U.S. Election. They also cover the path forward for Team Human.
- Andrew Slack: Superman vs Ubermensch
Andrew Slack, author of "Orphans, Empires, and the Search for a Better World," explores the history of corporate power, the mythic origins of American identity, and the potential for hope and solar panels to contribute to a better future.…
- Cory Doctorow: Enshittification is Not Inevitable
Cory Doctorow discusses digital monopolies, user rights, and reclaiming technology for the public good. He explains the systemic forces behind these issues and explores solutions through collective action and policy change.
- The Intentional Collapse
Rushkoff offers a new way to interpret what appears to be the intentional dismantling of society as we know it: an elite who have lost faith in the system that has served them until now, and who believe a controlled demolition of governmen…
- Can Collapse Benefit Everyone? Luke Kemp: Goliath's Curse
Luke Kemp, author of Goliath’s Curse, explores why civilizations fall, what history gets wrong about collapse, and how distributed, cooperative societies have often thrived where empires failed. Names referenced in this episode : Jan Talon…
- Will AI Kill Us for the Lulz? Nate Soares: If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies
Nate Soares , computer scientist and author of If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies , discusses the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence, the possibility that untethered AI development can lead to catastrophic outcomes for huma…
- Jonathan Larsen: The Easy Way or The Hard Way
Jonathan Larsen, Founder of The Fucking News , brings perspective, humor, and humanism to the tragic and ridiculous phenomena unfolding in the world. Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth. Learn more about Everyone's Earth: h…
- AI Just Ate Language: The End of the Age of Horus
Rushkoff invites us to join him in metabolizing the challenges and opportunities of our AI-driven moment. In this monologue, Rushkoff highlights the dangers of treating LLMs as all-knowing beings and the ways they reinforce our biases and…
- R.U. Sirius: Reality is up For Grabs
R.U. Sirius, Founding Editor of Mondo 2000 and author, discusses how intentional weirdness is a powerful tool for community and resistance when the fight for reality is being waged. Names referenced in this episode : Alex Jones, Art Bell,…
- Borrow a Drill, Save the World
Rushkoff explains why borrowing a drill is a revolutionary act. Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth. Learn more about Everyone's Earth: https://everyonesearth.com/ Change Diapers: https://changediapers.com/ Cobi Dryer Sheet…
- Camille Sojit Pejcha: Sex vs. Capitalism
Writer, editor, and Founder of Pleasure-Seeking.com , and host of the Pleasure Seeking podcast Camille Sojit Pejcha explore Pejcha’s recent sex trend forecast how sex has become a new subversion. About Camille Sojit Pejcha is a writer, edi…
- Liana Sananda Gillooly: Is Sobriety the Future of Psychedelics?
Liana Gillooly , an advocate for purpose-built ecosystems and psychedelics, joins Rushkoff for a conversation about the evolving landscape of psychedelics. Gillooly discusses how to integrate activism into psychedelic use, the importance o…
- Is it Okay to Feel Good in the Midst of Chaos?
Douglas Rushkoff reflects on the importance of joy and human connection amid vast global suffering. He offers a poignant reminder to follow our bliss. Names cited Dan Savage, Joseph Campbell, Aleister Crowley, Ram Das Team Human is proudly…
- From Meta to Soma: Rushkoff on New Models [Bonus]
Rushkoff joined Carolina Busta and Lil Internet for a conversation about the evolution of the Internet, media theory, psychedelics, and more. Learn more and subscribe to New Models. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Priva…
- Matthew Remski: Antifascist Dad
Matthew Remski, Host of Conspirituality and author of the forthcoming Antifascist Dad, helps us find a new kind of resistance to the atmosphere of violence in which we're living – the sweet spot for a new movement of mutual support. About…
- Duncan Trussell: AI is a Magic Mirror
Duncan Trussell , comedian and Host of the Duncan Trussell Family Hour, joins Rushkoff to explore how we can best metabolize rising geopolitical tensions, the ways billionaires view the power of the AIs they’ve developed, the relationship…
- Eliott Edge: Magic and Mocktails
Eliott Edge revisits his first book, Three Essays in Virtual Reality , while giving us a sneak preview of his thinking for his upcoming opus on Simulation theory. Edge is a critically-acclaimed author, artist, and international speaker. Ed…
- Don’t Shoot the Messenger: AI is not the problem
Each supposed AI “problem” stems from a lack of imaginative capacity from us. We are refusing the opportunity to rethink more fundamental assumptions about the systems under threat. Instead of acting like tech bros and reinforcing obsolete…
- De Kai: Humans Get ONE Shot to Parent AI
De Kai, the man who built the world’s first global translators and AI systems, says we better learn to parent our AI offspring before it’s too late. The author of Raising AI argues how we behave in front of AI’s matters more than whatever…
- Vanessa Machado de Oliveira: Outgrowing Modernity
Playing for Team Human today, LatinX professor, and the author of Hospicing Modernity as well as the upcoming book Outgrowing Modernity, my favorite civilizational doula, Vanessa Machado de Oliveira. Team Human is proudly sponsored by Ever…
- Erik Davis: AI, Weirdness, and Windows to Other Worlds
Playing for Team Human today, the author of TechGnosis , High Weirdness , and the just released history of the LSD medium Blotter , esoteric scholar Erik Davis. https://techgnosis.com/ Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth. L…
- Life is Not a Simulation: It's Magic
Rushkoff explains the two ways we can understand magic in order to experience more of our embodied lives. Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth. Learn more about Everyone's Earth: https://everyonesearth.com/ Change Diapers: h…
- Alex Kazemi: Live from The Strand
Playing for Team Human today, Canadian pop artist, author, journalist, magician, and CEO of VOID Collective, Alex Kazemi. New Millennium Boyz: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/New-Millennium-Boyz/Alex-Kazemi/9798888459539 Alex’s webs…