Episodes
Published 09/15/18
That sketchy 2016 Trump Tower meeting — you know the one — just got sketchier. Turns out, there was a flurry of money transferred just 11 days after the infamous meeting where Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort met with Russian officials to allegedly get dirt on Hillary Clinton. Editor-In-Chief Ben Smith sat down with investigative reporter Anthony Cormier about the big scoop. Then: Jane Lytvynenko tests host Julia Furlan on the fake news that’s flying around this week. And...
Published 09/15/18
As anti-immigrant sentiment spreads, so does fake news. We look at how this resulted in very real violence in one small east German town with world editor Miriam Elder and reporters Lester Feder and Ishmael Daro. Then, we give you two stories you need to know about Hurricane Florence.
Published 09/12/18
It was a wild week at Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings: Protestors! An auctioneer impersonation! So many power moves! Legal reporters Zoe Tillman and Chris Geidner move past the grandstanding to what it all means. Then: did you know that 40% of folks in France are anti-vaccines? Science editor Virginia Hughes and science reporter Dan Vergano talk about the anti-vaccine movement in Europe. And, because there is SO much fake news out there, we have a fake news quiz.Text our news bot,...
Published 09/08/18
This Wednesday we're taking a little break and introducing you to our friends, See Something Say Something! It's a podcast about being Muslim in America hosted by Ahmed Ali Akbar. This is the second episode in a three-part series called Meat, Mangoes, and Memory. In this episode, they explore why some people are willing to pay nearly $9 a pop for a taste of home. They talk to food writer Myles Karp about the complications Indian mangos have faced entering the US, from political bans to...
Published 09/05/18
Millions of children say they were abused in Catholic orphanages around the world. For the last four years, contributing editor Christine Kenneally has been investigating one specific case: St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage in Burlington, Vermont, where residents allege nuns sexually, physically, and emotionally abused them for years. Plus, we look at a world where “deepfake” technology gets good enough to trick people, and examine the week in world news. Text our news bot, JoJo, for links to...
Published 09/01/18
On this week’s Group Chat, we talk about the strange subculture of teens being paid to share self-care advice on Instagram. Then, we break down some of the week’s biggest headlines for you — so you have something to say when you’re stuck in the elevator with your boss.This week’s Group Chat question: What do you think of the self-care trend? Is it healthy, or capitalism gone terribly wrong?To share your thoughts, text the words GROUP CHAT to 929-236-9577.
Published 08/29/18
We break down what happened with both Manafort and Cohen this week, and what it means for the midterms and beyond. Then dive into dystopia with a report on retailers using facial recognition software to identify criminals. Finally, host Julia Furlan sits down with Sarah Leonard to talk about her new BuzzFeed News Opinion podcast, What’s Left. Text JoJo at 929-236-9577 for links to the things we talked about in the show: LEFT | FACE | COURT | WHOMST | TRANSCRIPTPS: Listen to Julia on It's Been...
Published 08/25/18
Asia Argento has been a vocal leader of the #MeToo movement, but this week the New York Times reported on allegations that she sexually assaulted child actor Jimmy Bennett. In this week's Group Chat, David Mack, Alison Willmore, and Ariane Lange dive into what these allegations mean for the larger movement. This week's Group Chat question is: How did you feel when you heard the news about Asia Argento? To share your thoughts, text JoJo the words "GROUP CHAT" to 929-236-9577.
Published 08/22/18
A girl murdered as she was set to testify against her alleged rapist, and how it could have been prevented. Then, a glimpse at one best possible timeline in Trump’s America, and finally tap your toes to this week’s big stories.Text JoJo to get more info and links from this episode! Their number is 929-236-9577. Prompts from this episode: Michigan | Newsletter | Transcript | Whomst
Published 08/18/18
The productivity of stan outrage, what counts as accurate representation, and fake news you can use.Ahmed Ali Akbar, Alison Willmore and Sylvia Obell talk it out.Since this is a group chat, we want to hear from you!How do you decide what counts as accurate representation?  Text JoJo the word “group chat” at 929-236-9577 to share.Other JoJo prompts in this episode: INSECURE | INVID | WHOMST | TRANSCRIPT 
Published 08/15/18
We dig deep on work life balance with Audie Cornish, host of BuzzFeed’s Profile and NPR’s All Things Considered, then unpack what to expect in the Manafort trial and get some suggested reading and watching to make your weekend even better.Text JoJo to get more info and links from this episode! Their number is 929-236-9577. Prompts from this episode: Profile | Trial | Recommendation | Transcript | Whomst
Published 08/11/18
We tackle two tricky Internet topics: What the hell is QAnon and why is Alex Jones? Our internettiest friends Katie Notopoulos, Charlie Warzel, and Ryan Broderick get together to debunk and debrief. Since this is a group chat, we want to hear from you! What responsibility do you think tech companies have to control what’s on their platforms? Text JoJo the word “group chat” at 929-236-9577 to share.Other JoJo prompts in this episode: Q | INFO | TRANSCRIPT 
Published 08/08/18
We try to make sense of the evolving news from the border, ask whether humanoid robots are the future of banking and test your fake news knowledge.JoJo the News Bot's phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them "hi" to get started! Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode:  Whomst | Crisis | Pepper If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript." 
Published 08/04/18
In this inaugural Group Chat, we talk about the feminist wing of the anti-abortion movement. Then we'll give you two stories people will still be talking about at the end of your day. If YOU have something you want to text the group chat, JoJo can help you! Text them the words "GROUP CHAT," and follow the prompts. We might use your comments on a future episode :)JoJo's number is 929-236-9577.
Published 08/01/18
Facebook has a moral reckoning, the deadly germ of the summer, and bringing Kylie Minogue back to the news cycle.JoJo the News Bot's phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them "hi" to get started! Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode:  Whomst | Facebook | Oyster | Recommendation If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript." 
Published 07/28/18
How many drug overdoses are unrecognized suicide attempts, what happens when you use your phone like a 10-year-old, and how the Helsinki summit will matter six months from now. JoJo the News Bot’s phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them “hi” to get started! Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode:  Whomst | Transcript | Opioid | Phone | Emoji If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word “Transcript."
Published 07/21/18
A deep dive into Gwen Stefani's career, mass deportations under Operation Streamline, a very specific version of Calm Down for Trump and NATO, and recommendations on what to watch and what to listen to from the newsroom!JoJo the News Bot's phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them "hi" to get started. Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode: Transcript * Whomst * Gwen * Rec * Streamline If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript."
Published 07/14/18
It's officially summer, which means it's officially blockbuster season. BuzzFeed News Entertainment reporters Alanna Bennett and Adam B. Vary break down this summer's movie trends. And our resident fake news sleuth, Jane Lytvenenko is here with a fake news quiz! JoJo the News Bot's phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them "hi" to get started. Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode: Movie * Whomst * Quiz * Romance If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript."
Published 07/07/18
What Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement means, a breakdown of the big Supreme Court decisions,how gentrification affects calls about noise complaints and an explanation of Mexico’s historic presidential election. JoJo the News Bot's phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them "hi" to get started! Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode:  Whomst | Transcript | SCOTUS | 311 | Mexico If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript." 
Published 06/30/18
Stories from the immigration crisis on our southern border, robots in restaurants, and a peek at what's next for this week's biggest stories. JoJo the News Bot's phone number is 929-236-9577. Text them "hi" to get started. Here are the 🤖JoJo prompts from this episode: Whomst | Family | Server | Newsletter.If you want a transcript of the episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript."
Published 06/23/18
Stories from a Canadian alt-right conference, a defense of scammers, a look at how LGBTQ Americans live today, and a peek at what’s next for this week’s biggest stories. JoJo the News Bot’s phone number is 929-236-9577.  Text them “hi” to get started. Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode: Rebel | Scam | LGBTQ | Newsletter | WhomstIf you want a transcript of this episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript." 
Published 06/16/18
What’s next for the #MeToo movement, how the alt-right exploits the comments sections, why Jeff Sessions is withholding money from police, and Kim Kardashian West goes to the White House.JoJo the News Bot’s phone number is 929-236-9577.  Text them “hi” to get started.Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode: Animate | Charlie | Whomst | Justice | QuizIf you want a transcript of this episode, text JoJo the word “Transcript.”
Published 06/09/18
A world news update, a new hurricane season begins for Puerto Rico, data drama with the census, and of course, the fake news quiz. JoJo the News Bot’s phone number is 929-236-9577.  Text “hi” to get started. Key JoJo prompts from this episode: * Hurricane * Quiz * WhomstDon't forget, you can get a transcript of this week's episode by texting JoJo the word "transcript."Additional music in this episode by Meydän.
Published 06/02/18
Stacey Abrams's historic nomination in Georgia, how much Facebook knows about you, and why you can chill about the North Korea summit.JoJo the News Bot’s phone number is 929-236-9577.  Text them “hi” to get started. Here are the JoJo prompts from this episode: Georgia | Ghost | Quiz | WhomstIf you want a transcript of this episode, text JoJo the word "Transcript." 
Published 05/26/18