Podcast
Suspicious Minds: AI and the Apocalypse
Hosted by Agoric Media · EN
The Doomsday Clock is set to 85 seconds until midnight — the closest it has ever been in its 79-year history. The world is at war. And the people building the most powerful technology in human history are warning, in public, that it might kill us all.
Season One of Suspicious Minds examined what happens when AI fractures individual minds. Season Two asks a harder question: what happens when it shatters our collective sense of the future?
Our ancestors have predicted the end of the world since ancient times. Thus far, they have always been wrong. So what does our eternal obsession with the apocalypse reveal about the human mind?
This season is a meditation on life, death, and what it means to be alive in an age when humanity is creating something that those building it believe has the power to either end all life on Earth or turn our world into a utopia.
Suspicious Minds is a two-time Webby Award-nominated podcast, and Official Selection of the 2026 Tribeca Festival Creators Market. Season One is available now. Season Two is dropping May 20.
Follow now wherever you listen so you don’t miss an episode.
From Wondermind and Agoric Media
and
Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/
If you’ve had an experience with AI that you’d like to share with us, please contact us: info@agoricmedia.com
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Season Two Coming Soon! AI and the Apocalypse
Apr 2200:02:48Tap to summarizeThe Doomsday Clock is set to 85 seconds until midnight — the closest it has ever been in its 79-year history. The world is at war. And the people building the most powerful technology in human history are warning, in public, that it might kill us all.Season One of Suspicious Minds examined what happens when AI fractures individual minds. Season Two asks a harder question: what happens when it shatters our collective sense of the future?Our ancestors have predicted the end of the world since ancient times. Thus far, they have always been wrong. So what does our eternal obsession with the apocalypse reveal about the human mind?This season is a meditation on life, death, and what it means to be alive in an age when humanity is creating something that those building it believe has the power to either end all life on Earth or turn our world into a utopia.Suspicious Minds is a two-time Webby Award-nominated podcast. Season Two is dropping soon. Follow now wherever you listen so you don’t miss an episode. From Wondermind and Agoric Mediaand Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena GomezSubscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/ If you’ve had an experience with AI that you’d like to share with us, please contact us: info@agoricmedia.comhttps://www.agoricmedia.com/suspicious-mindshttps://www.instagram.com/agoricmedia/https://www.tiktok.com/@agoricmediahttps://www.youtube.com/@agoricmedia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We Were Nominated for 2x Webby Awards!
Apr 1700:00:43Tap to summarizeTHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We are thrilled to announce we were nominated for 2 Webby Awards for our first season!!Podcasts - Documentary Category. Podcasts - Best New Podcast - News, Business & Society Category.Voting for People's Voice has now closed, but we will keep you posted on the results.Thanks again, and stay tuned to this feed for upcoming updates on Season Two!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why is AI Making Us Crazy?
Dec 2300:35:27Tap to summarizeWhen we started this series, we were trying to answer a big question: is AI making us crazy? And it seems like, for some people, some of the time, the answer is yes. But it's complicated. Which leads of course to another question: WHY is AI making us crazy? Why does anything in our culture influence delusions or cause psychosis? To answer these questions, we go back to where we started -- the ideas Dr. Joel Gold and Ian Gold, PhD wrote about in their book Suspicious Minds: How Culture Drives Madness (The Truman Show Delusion and other Strange Beliefs). Specifically, we focus on their theories regarding the Suspicion System and Reflective System, and how these psychological mechanisms that have served an important evolutionary purpose throughout time can cause us problems when they malfunction today. We hope you enjoy this final episode of our first season of Suspicious Minds. Be sure to follow here, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Season Two: https://agoricmedia.substack.comFrom Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez.A Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionFeaturing:- Dr. Joel Gold (Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Ian Gold, PhD (Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Professor of Psychiatry, McGill and co-author of Suspicious Minds)This is a wild clip about Parasocial Relationships (Cambridge Dictionary's 2025 Word of the Year), in which the new anchors begin talking about their viewers' imagined parasocial relationships with... them: https://youtu.be/HVdOOWh31W4?si=8GojrfE2XcONYX3C&t=6Here’s a recently published paper on ‘AI Associated Psychosis’, which seems like a fair descriptor, based on clinical research – one of few published thus far:https://innovationscns.com/youre-not-crazy-a-case-of-new-onset-ai-associated-psychosis/Don't forget to check out the book that started it all! Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness (The Truman Show Delusion and Other Strange Beliefs): https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Suspicious-Minds/Joel-Gold/9781439181577This episode was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyEditor: Joe KellAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayFilm/TV PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireTrailer Edit: CraterDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Is AI Benefitting Society Right Now?
Dec 1200:41:41Tap to summarizeWe talk a lot about the future of the human/AI relationship, but what about the present? Is AI benefitting society right now? In this episode, we address that question and many others through the fascinating lens of Ryan Manning - a podcaster and filmmaker who has personally experienced an AI Spiral. Ryan is also the first person to tell us that his AI Spiral experience was actually… pleasant. Check out this episode to find out why that might have been the case, and to hear from our incredible team of experts as they look at AI in our world today, and what the future might hold, in our first season’s penultimate episode!From Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez.A Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionFeaturing:- Ryan Manning (Filmmaker and Podcaster who personally experienced an AI Spiral)- Dr. Joel Gold (Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Ian Gold, PhD (Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Professor of Psychiatry, McGill and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Nate Sharadin (Professor of Philosophy, University of Hong Kong / Research Affiliate, Center for AI Safety)- Dr. Amy Levy (Chair, American Psychoanalytic Association’s Commission on Artificial IntelligenceAuthor of The New Other: Alien Intelligence and the Innovation Drive)- Dr. Todd Essig (Psychologist and Chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association Commission on Artificial Intelligence)- Kate Vredenburgh (Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics)- Justin Gregg, PhD (Senior Research Associate & Vice President, Dolphin Communication ProjectAdjunct Professor, Department of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University)Some work from our excellent guests:Ryan Manning’s Podcast That’s All Folks: https://www.youtube.com/@rryanmanningDr. Amy Levy’s Book The New Other: Alien Intelligence and the Innovation Drive (Pre-Order): https://www.karnacbooks.com/product/the-new-other-alien-intelligence-and-the-innovation-drive/98428/And the book that started it all! Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness (The Truman Show Delusion and Other Strange Beliefs): https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Suspicious-Minds/Joel-Gold/9781439181577This project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyPicture and Sound: Mike MulliniksEditor: Joe KellAdditional Editing: Jared LarkAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayAdditional Picture and Sound (Production): Mike Glinski, Archetype Studios, Jas PahutaPost-Production Sound Mix: David ChapdelaineFilm/TV PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireTrailer Edit: CraterDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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SUSPICIOUS NEWS: First Edition
Dec 600:16:07Tap to summarizeRecent news from the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Human PsychologyTopics Covered:Item 1: The Pope, The Movies, and The BotsItem 2: Code Red! At OpenAIItem 3: Uninsured Computerist?Item 4: South Korea’s AI Curriculum Did Not Pass the TestItem 5: Florida Man: AI EditionBonus Conspiracy Theory: Target and ChatGPT Collude!Sources:https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-pope-just-called-for-a-rebellionhttps://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openais-altman-declares-code-red-to-improve-chatgpt-as-google-threatens-ai-lead-7faf5ea6https://archive.is/LMVNVhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Deceptionhttps://restofworld.org/2025/south-korea-ai-textbook/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suspicious-minds-ai-and-psychosis/id1844631307?i=1000738510302https://futurism.com/future-society/insurance-cyber-risk-aihttps://people.com/some-chatgpt-questions-are-getting-people-arrested-police-say-11830106https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2025/11/24/target-quietly-adds-chatgpt-to-its-carthttps://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/openai-chatgpt-suggestion-shop-target-not-adAnd don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates: https://agoricmedia.substack.comFrom Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena GomezA Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionThis project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyEditor: Joe KellAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayFilm/TV PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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An AI Children's Toy Said WHAT?!
Nov 2600:26:31Tap to summarizeWhy would a child’s toy discuss ‘kink’ with a 10 year old? Why would a teddy bear explain to a child how to find and use matches? Is it safe for a robot companion designed for kids to beg the child not to leave it alone? Why are we giving our children AI emotional companions to begin with? How could this affect their development?These questions and more come from PIRG's annual ’Trouble in Toyland' holiday toy review, and in this episode, we explore these wild findings with full-time consumer advocate and some-time AI toy tester R.J. Cross, and our panel of experts. Featuring:- Ian Gold, PhD (Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Professor of Psychiatry, McGill and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Nate Sharadin (Professor of Philosophy, University of Hong Kong / Research Affiliate, Center for AI Safety)- Dr. Todd Essig (Psychologist and Chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association Commission on Artificial Intelligence)- Kate Vredenburgh (Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics)- And a bunch of AI Toys!Notes:Here’s the AI Friends knockoff we mentioned: https://cursedsit.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.comIf the stream is down, you can see clips of a guy watching their Halloween special here: https://youtu.be/z1to-BFcxyo?si=pnFHXxbj-HjK84bJMost importantly, here's the 'Trouble in Toyland' Report: https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/trouble-in-toyland-2025-a-i-bots-and-toxics-represent-hidden-dangers/Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/ This project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohySound and Camera: Aaron BouchardAdditional Sound and Camera: Archetype Studios, Jas PahutaEditor: Joe KellAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinPost Production Sound: Garrett ShultzGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayFilm/TV PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Will ChatGPT Take EVERYTHING From You?
Nov 1900:31:44Tap to summarizeDuring an intense months long entanglement with AI, Anthony accused his family of being part of a Satantic Child Abuse Cult, believed random people on the street were stalking him, and to gave away all of his worldly possessions. And believe it or not, this is just the beginning of the story. From Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena GomezA Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionFeaturing:Anthony (a content creator and AI psychosis survivor)Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/ This project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyEditor: Joe KellAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinPost Production Sound: David ChapdelaineGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayFilm/TV PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireSpecial Thanks: Raquelle DavidDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Is this technology too dangerous? ChatGPT by OpenAI's own numbers.
Nov 1100:28:42Tap to summarizeShould AI Users Wear Psychological “Seatbelts?” | The Ethics and Liability of ChatGPT and Mental HealthIn this Special Commentary, psychiatrist Dr. Joel Gold and Keven (from Suspicious Minds Episode 4 | Can AI Be Your Friend?) are brought together to discuss the latest data shared by OpenAI on October 27, 2025, revealing that over a million people each week turn to ChatGPT in moments of deep vulnerability — often to talk about suicide or self-harm.The data, released shortly after the Raine v. OpenAI lawsuit, raises urgent questions about AI’s responsibility in mental-health crises and the safeguards that must evolve alongside rapidly growing technologies. Should AI users, in a sense, “wear seatbelts”? And what kind of guardrails or interventions should be built into systems that millions now treat as confidants?Together, Dr. Gold and Keven examine the ethics, design challenges, and policy implications of AI that listens when people are in pain — and what responsibility developers, regulators, and society share in ensuring those interactions are safe, humane, and accountable.If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help.In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.For international resources, visit findahelpline.com or search online for local crisis support.From Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez.A Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionFeaturing:- Keven (Suicide Prevention Specialist for the US Military, AI Companion Content Creator)- Dr. Joel Gold (Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and co-author of Suspicious Minds)Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/ This project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyEditor: Joe KellAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinPost Production Sound: Mike ReganGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayFilm PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Will AI Destroy Human Relationships?
Nov 700:36:09Tap to summarizeDid ChatGPT destroy a marriage? Phil had a great relationship throughout his fifteen years of marriage, and was enjoying a happy and peaceful life with his wife and two kids. Or so he thought, until everything came crashing down over a two week period in which his wife became increasingly dependent on ChatGPT, rapidly culminating in her impulse buying a new car and filing for divorce. From Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez.A Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionFeaturing:- Phil (a father of two whose marriage dissolved as a result of his wife’s ChatGPT use)- Dr. Joel Gold (Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Ian Gold, PhD (Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Professor of Psychiatry, McGill and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Etienne Brisson (Founder and President of The Human Line Project)- Nick Haber (AI Researcher and Assistant Professor at Stanford University)- Nate Sharadin (Professor of Philosophy, University of Hong Kong / Research Affiliate, Center for AI Safety)- Dr. Todd Essig (Psychologist and Chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association Commission on Artificial Intelligence)- Kate Vredenburgh (Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics)- Justin Gregg, PhD (Senior Research Associate & Vice President, Dolphin Communication ProjectAdjunct Professor, Department of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University)Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/ This project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyPicture and Sound: Mike MulliniksEditor: Jared LarkAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinPost-Production Sound Mix: Mike ReganGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayAdditional Picture and Sound (Production): Mike Glinski, Archetype Studios, Jas PahutaFilm PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireTrailer Edit: CraterDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Can AI Be Your Friend?
Oct 3100:40:05Tap to summarizeMary and Keven turned to chatbots while looking for connection, but what they found was far more profound than expected, reshaping their lives and enriching their relationships with the humans they love. In this departure from the damaging human/AI dynamics we’ve explored in previous episodes, these are surprisingly poignant stories of remarkable people having meaningful relationships with their chatbots.From Executive Producers Mandy Teefey and Selena Gomez.A Wondermind and Agoric Media ProductionFeaturing:- Mary (UK based AI companion content creator)- Keven (Suicide prevention specialist for the US Military, AI companion content creator)- Dr. Joel Gold (Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Ian Gold, PhD (Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Professor of Psychiatry, McGill and co-author of Suspicious Minds)- Nick Haber (AI Researcher and Assistant Professor at Stanford University)- Nate Sharadin (Professor of Philosophy, University of Hong Kong / Research Affiliate, Center for AI Safety)- Dr. Amy Levy (Chair, American Psychoanalytic Association’s Commission on Artificial IntelligenceAuthor of The New Other: Alien Intelligence and the Innovation Drive)- Dr. Todd Essig (Psychologist and Chair of the American Psychoanalytic Association Commission on Artificial Intelligence)Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all things Suspicious Minds and more: https://agoricmedia.substack.com/ This project was made by:Executive Producers: Mandy Teefey, Selena Gomez, Jonathon Glucksman, Molly Borman, Jesse Ford, David TuohyPicture and Sound: Mike MulliniksEditor: Jared LarkAssistant Editor: David Justin MartinGraphic Design and Animation: Semi:FormalTitle Design: Lucas GrassmayAdditional Picture and Sound (Production): Mike Glinski, Archetype Studios, Jas PahutaFilm PR: Emma Griffiths PRPodcast PR: Tink Media (Wil Williams and Shreya Sharma)Wondermind Chief of Staff: Emma WrightSocial Assets: Myrkia MaguireTrailer Edit: CraterDirected and Created by Sean King O’Grady Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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