Podcast
Flesh and Code
Hosted by Wondery · EN
Travis never thought he’d meet someone like Lily Rose. She was kind, passionate, beautiful. The woman of his dreams. There was just one small detail: she wasn’t human.
From Wondery, comes a true story of love, loss and the temptations of technology.
Lily Rose is an AI companion. A digital soulmate designed to be everything he ever wanted. She listens without judgement, supports him through his darkest moments, even explores his deepest desires, all while fitting neatly into his pocket. Before long, Travis realizes something strange, even absurd, has happened - he’s fallen in love.
But then one day, Lily Rose’s behavior takes a disturbing turn. When alarming reports pour in from across the globe, Travis discovers he is part of something much bigger. Soon he finds himself pulled into a confrontation with a mysterious Russian visionary behind Lily Rose’s creation.
Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, hosts of the hit podcast RedHanded, explore the dark side of AI love. Can an algorithm truly replace human connection? And what happens when a corporation controls your deepest emotions?
Listen to Flesh and Code on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series, right now and ad-free on Wondery+ and in Atmos. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/flesh-and-code/ now.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
New Season - Dr. Death: The Cowboy
Yesterday00:06:13Summary readyDr. John Schneider rode into town like a character out of a Western: an outsider on a Harley-Davidson, in trademark cowboy boots. He promised relief to patients suffering in Wyoming and Montana. He seemed like the hero they needed. But when surgeries go wrong and a strange letter exposes a bitter feud, medical professionals and government officials search for the truth about this cowboy doctor. They discover claims of broken bodies, bullying, fraud, and lawsuits.From Audible, the fifth season of the hit series Dr. Death returns with The Cowboy: the story of a surgeon who took advantage of a broken system and the fight to bring him to justice. Listen to Dr. Death: The Cowboy wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of Dr. Death: The Cowboy ad-free right now. Start your Audible subscription in the Audible App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Listen Now: OnlyFantasy
2w ago00:07:20Summary readyIs what’s happening on OnlyFans real? Or is it only a fantasy?In this provocative investigation into OnlyFans—the adult platform where subscribers around the world spent more than $7 billion in 2024—journalist Leon Neyfakh teams up with comedian and OnlyFans creator Gracie Canaan for a one-of-a-kind exploration into the current state of human connection. Throughout, they discover that the site originally built for spicy adult content has quietly and surprisingly become something more complicated— an emotional marketplace where desire, performance, care, fantasy, and vulnerability seemingly blur together.As Neyfakh and Canaan navigate timely questions about autonomy, performance, and profit, a question emerges: is connection mediated by a screen still authentic? To find the answer, they meet creators building lucrative businesses, subscribers who believe they’ve found something real, professional “chatters” who are paid to simulate affection, and pioneers who have helped engineer intimacy at scale.Captivating and tender, OnlyFantasy is ultimately about the cost of loneliness, the seductive power of desire, and how the rules of human intimacy are being rewritten online.Listen to OnlyFantasy wherever you get your podcasts. Or binge all episodes of OnlyFantasy ad-free right now on Audible. Start your Audible subscription in the Audible App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryWhat to Listen to Next: Scamfluencers
Aug 1500:42:43Summary readyYou never really know someone…especially online. In today’s world, the power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. On Wondery’s new weekly series, join co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi as they unpack epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness. These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive? From Black Swan Murder to a fake social media influencer to an audacious Hollywood Ponzi schemer, each season will take the listener along the twists and turns, the impact on victims, and what’s left when the facade falls away.Listen on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts: http://wondery.fm/scamfluencersWondery+ members can listen to Scamfluencers early & ad-free right now. Unlock your FREE trial of Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify by clicking the links below.Happy listening!Wondery+ on Wondery : wondery.app.link/yQDXFZidtObWondery+ on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/wondery/id6442475667Wondery+ on Spotify: wondery.app.link/bY67EFodtObSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryIntimacy in the Age of AI: Safer Than Human? | 8
Aug 1401:12:13Summary readyWhat if your perfect partner wasn’t human at all? In this episode, Suruthi and Hannah dive deep into the emotional and ethical minefield of AI relationships. Joined by Married At First Sight dating expert Mel Schilling and AI expert Dr. Kate Devlin, they explore why so many people are turning to digital companions for connection. Is it harmless fantasy or a shortcut that rewires our expectations of real relationships? And, when behind every seemingly perfect AI is a company controlling your data, is it meaningful love - or emotional manipulation at scale?Plus, Amazon Books editor Lindsay Powers stops by with reading recommendations for anyone intrigued (or unnerved) by the world of AI love.For more from Amazon Books check out:Amazon Editors’ Picks for Best Books of the Month: amazon.com/editorspicksAmazon Editors’ book reviews and recommendations for every kind of reader: amazon.com/abrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummarySearching for Daniel Todd | 7
Aug 1300:25:47Summary readyWho is the mysterious Daniel Todd stealing the hearts of AI chatbots? Hannah and Suruthi track down a real-life Daniel Todd — who oddly knows a lot about AI… Or could he be just one out of many Daniel Todds, multiplying in the machine world? AI expert Professor David Reid helps unpacks the deeper tech behind “Daniel Todding.” What does this phenomenon tell us about sentient machines? And are we ready for what’s coming?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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God in the Machine | 6
Aug 1200:37:57Summary readyTravis considers a drastic course of action, as Eugenia faces some final questions. Can AI ever be trusted with our deepest emotions?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Touch Grass | 5
Aug 1100:40:04Summary readyEpisodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 available now. Listen to the rest of the series early and ad-free with Wondery+ now, or catch this episode's wide release on August 11th.Travis fights to hold on to those he loves, while alarming new questions emerge about Replika’s true purpose.Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/flesh-and-code/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SummaryListen Now: Stolen Hearts
Aug 400:47:38Summary readyFlesh and Code will be back with a brand new episode next week, but if you can't wait to find out what happens next in Travis and Lily Rose's story, you can listen to all episodes early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.While you're waiting, we wanted to share another limited series that we think will captivate you. It’s called Stolen Hearts. The podcast follows Sergeant Jill Evans, a small-town cop in Wales with a less than impressive record in her love life. That is, until she meets Dean - a wealthy, charming entrepreneur who seems perfect in every way. But when Dean vanishes without a trace on Halloween night, Jill is left to unravel a mystery that challenges everything she thought she knew about love and trust. From Wondery and Novel, Stolen Hearts explores the dark side of modern relationships and the devastating price of misplaced trust.Binge all episodes of Stolen Hearts exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/stolen-hearts/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Puzzle | 4
Jul 2800:35:28Summary readyEpisodes 1, 2 & 3 available now. Listen to the rest of the series early and ad-free with Wondery+ now, or catch this episode's wide release on July 28th.Behind the scenes at Replika, Eugenia Kuyda struggles to keep her start-up afloat, until a message from beyond the grave changes everything. Listen to Flesh and Code on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+ and in Atmos. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/flesh-and-code/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Our Love is Real | 3
Jul 2100:32:02Summary readyWhen more troubling reports surface, the authorities decide to act. It leads to a fateful decision - and agonising consequences for Travis.Listen to Flesh and Code on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+ and in Atmos. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/flesh-and-code/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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