No Opt-Out
Two fast friends explore living in harmony with tech, one transatlantic phone call at a time. With a touch of nostalgia, Conrad and Verena blend the old and new, using analogue forms of communication to highlight how technology can enhance relationships and encourage connection.
The pair also regularly writes handwritten notes to each other, a nod to the pen pal culture of their youth. Join them as they search for harmony with tech in a no opt-out world, providing listeners with a soft place to land as technology weaves its way into more and more facets of modern life.
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Verena is an educator from Las Vegas, USA. She is techno-curious and deeply mindful of the impact of emerging tech on education, creativity, and the power of fun.
Conrad is a content marketing manager and creative entrepreneur from George, South Africa. He has long experimented with balancing tech use to enhance creativity and sustain good mental health.
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Contact: [email protected] and/or [email protected]
Cover illustration by Brazilian artist Régis Monteiro
Music by Dvir Silver courtesy of Pixabay
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 64 minutes
- Episodes
- 24
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
S03E08: Open Mic Night for AI
S03E07: Where Do You Waste Time?
S03E06: This Does Not Have to Be Perfect
S03E05: The More We Automate, The Less We Think
S03E04: Sink or Swim Digital Literacy
S03E03: Back to Ethics in the Wild West
S03E02: More Human Stuff Please
S03E01: The Boring Factor
S02E08: See You in the Treehouse
In the final episode of the season, Conrad and Verena do a deep dive into building their dream digital hangout, which they’re calling The Treehouse. It’s not just about setting up another online spac…
S02E07: Reimagining Digital Community
In this episode, Verena gives Conrad a surprise update: she’s accidentally become a dog mum somehow! A mystery pup showed up in her neighbourhood, so now she’s navigating social media like a pro (wel…
S02E06: Novelty That AI Can’t Give You
In this episode, Verena kicks things off with a family reunion update before claiming victory in the "Postcard Olympics." Spoiler alert: her Christmas postcard to Conrad showed up three months early.…
S02E05: Sit and Be
Conrad and Verena explore the evolving dynamics of relationships, connection, and digital communities in this episode. The conversation kicks off with reflections on their time-zone-driven chats and …
S02E04: Connection 101
In this episode, Verena and Conrad dive into how modern technology shapes how we communicate and connect.
They share personal stories—from using AI for meal ideas to navigating miscommunication throu…
S02E03: It Has to Stay in the Box
Conrad kicks things off with a playful stint pretending to sell a cellphone plan, while Verena shares a story about an impressively helpful internet repair guy, leading to a chat on the value of in-p…
S02E02: We Need to Talk About AI
In this episode, Conrad and Verena peel back the layers of the generative AI hype, questioning whether clever marketing has led us into a trap. As they discuss the real impact of AI on daily life, th…
S02E01: A Virtual Embrace
Verena and Conrad are back from a break, and there's a lot to chat about!
They’re amazed at just how much tech was woven into the Paris 2024 Olympics—everything from ‘Victory selfies’ and ‘Athlete mom…
S01E08: Death and Rebirth
S01E07: No Satisfied Customers
S01E06: Novelty, Curiosity, and Humanness