Podcast Summary: The Best People with Nicolle Wallace

Episode: Scott Galloway Wants You to Resist and Unsubscribe
Date: February 16, 2026
Host: Nicolle Wallace
Guest: Scott Galloway

Overview

This episode centers on Scott Galloway’s “Resist and Unsubscribe” campaign, which pushes for individual agency through targeted tech boycotts as a response to political unrest and corporate complicity in authoritarian trends. Nicolle Wallace and Galloway engage in an energetic, frank conversation about tech giants' roles in enabling troubling political movements, the power of economic boycotts as everyday activism, and the importance of personal and collective action in defending democracy and values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The “Resist and Unsubscribe” Campaign:

• Call to Action: Galloway advocates unsubscribing from tech services (e.g., OpenAI ChatGPT, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, AT&T), arguing that these platforms significantly impact company profits and market behavior when a critical mass cancels services ([02:48], [04:22]).
• Economic Power: “The most radical act in a capitalist society is non participation.” – Scott Galloway ([02:54])
• Practicality: The campaign offers a practical way for people (especially those unable to join in-person protests) to express dissent and exert collective influence with minimal personal disruption ([02:48], [16:28]).

Tech Companies’ Complicity & Rationalizations

• Corporate Excuses: Tech executives justify inaction by citing fiduciary duty to shareholders and fear of retaliation from the administration. Galloway challenges this by calling for loyalty to American values and democratic principles ([06:14]).
• Historical Parallels:
  • Galloway draws comparisons between current US industry leaders and captains of German industry during the late Weimar Republic, warning against appeasement and the dangers of waiting out autocracy ([08:24]).
  • Highlights the economic motives that overrode the defense of rights in historical regimes, noting that passivity leads to dark consequences.

Agency and Values

• Individual Agency:
  • “Action absorbs anxiety.” – Dan Harris, quoted by Galloway ([02:54], [16:28])
  • Boycotting is cumulative—small actions add up and shift economic incentives.
• Redundant Subscriptions: Anecdotes from participants reflect surprise at forgotten, redundant subscriptions, often saving substantial money ([15:45]).
• Comparison to Dry January: Just as people reevaluate alcohol consumption, they can reassess digital consumption—benefiting financially and morally ([05:46], [16:43]).

Masculinity, Protection, and Leadership

• Redefining Strength:
  • The ultimate purpose of acquiring power or influence is to protect others, not just shareholders.
  • “What’s the point if you don’t protect others?” ([12:13])
  • Critique of business leaders who fail to use their power for public good.
• Role Models:
  • Minneapolis community members are lauded for mutual aid and civic responsibility in the face of tragedy ([13:52]).

The “Bunker Mentality” and Generational Shifts

• Critique of Elitism:
  • Wealthy elites trying to “build moats” around homes or plan escape routes to New Zealand are contrasted with those investing in community resilience ([13:15], [13:52]).
  • Dismisses nihilism among youth and elites alike, emphasizing constructive societal investment.

Political and Cultural Inflection Points

• Trump Administration’s Decline:
  • Galloway notes plummeting favorability for Trump and senses a growing backlash, even among moderates and some on the right ([17:35]).
  • Cites historical American recoveries from dark periods for hope ([17:35]).
• Infighting on the Left:
  • Galloway is critical of the left’s inclination to “redistribute virtue” and over-police allies, warning that this internal division threatens electoral outcomes ([22:52]).
  • “What’s worse than fighting with your allies is fighting without them.” ([23:48])

The Epstein Files and Institutional Credibility

• Department of Justice Critique:
  • Both express outrage at the DOJ’s inaction toward Epstein victims, alleging “delay and obfuscation” ([21:04]).
  • “It feels like our Department of Justice is a Department of Delay and Obfuscation or Department of Propaganda.” ([21:04])
• Media Distraction:
  • Galloway believes focus should be on criminal accountability—not peripheral shaming of anyone loosely associated with Epstein ([25:39]).
  • “We are being too harsh on the outer circle... and we are being way too lenient on the people who actually raped children.” ([27:16])

Reflections, Impact, and Closing Thoughts

• Family Conversations:
  • The boycott movement can generate meaningful family dialogue about values and civic action ([29:02]).
  • Humor: canceling Netflix prompts “Memo to self: smother dad in his sleep tonight.” ([29:14])
• Protest vs. Effectiveness:
  • “In my whole career, I’ve struggled with the difference between being right and being effective.” Timothy Snyder’s reminder: “It feels really good to do things with other people.” ([28:38])
  • Everyone will want to look back and say they did something ([29:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Economic Impact of Boycotting

  • “If you were to just unsubscribe from OpenAI’s paid ChatGPT, you are taking $10,000 out of their market capitalization because that’s $240 a year. They trade at 40 times their revenues.” – Scott Galloway ([02:54])

• On Agency and Action

  • “Action absorbs anxiety.” – Dan Harris, quoted by Scott Galloway ([02:54], [16:28])
  • “The most radical act in a capitalist society is non participation.” – Scott Galloway ([02:54])

• Why CEOs Stay Silent

  • “You’re going to be dead soon...do you want to be known as the guy who got your shareholder value up 3% or the guy that did the right thing, even when it was really hard?” – Scott Galloway ([06:14])

• Historical Parallels

  • “History is brutally clear. Appeasement and waiting out a slow descent into fascism does not end well.” – Scott Galloway ([09:40])

• Masculinity and Duty

  • “What’s the point if you don’t protect others?... Why would you want to get this success if you couldn’t protect others?” – Scott Galloway ([12:13])

• On the DOJ and Epstein Files

  • “It feels like our Department of Justice is a Department of Delay and Obfuscation or Department of Propaganda.” – Scott Galloway ([21:04])
  • “We are being too harsh on the outer circle... and we are being way too lenient on the people who actually raped children.” – Scott Galloway ([27:16])

• On Infighting on the Left

  • “What’s worse than fighting with your allies is fighting without them.” – Scott Galloway ([23:48])
  • “We are very good at eating our own young.” – Scott Galloway ([23:58])

• Family and Conversations

  • “Try canceling Netflix when you have two sons. They literally gave me that look. Memo to self: smother dad in sleep tonight.” – Scott Galloway ([29:14])

Suggested Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:48] — Intro to “Resist and Unsubscribe” and rationale
• [04:22] — Practical guide: how to opt out & “Ground Zero” companies
• [06:14] — Tech leaders’ motives, historical analogies
• [08:24] — Parallels to late-stage Weimar Republic, fascism warning
• [12:13] — Duty, masculinity, and protection
• [17:35] — Possible political inflection point, historical context
• [21:04] — DOJ critique over Epstein files
• [22:52] — Infighting on the left, dangers to organizing
• [27:16] — Media distraction in Epstein files
• [28:38] — The value of doing something
• [29:14] — Family dynamics, real-life impact of boycotts

Tone

Frank, impassioned, deeply reflective, yet practically focused—Wallace and Galloway blend urgency, wit, and frustration at the political and tech status quo. The episode is accessible, direct, and at times sharply critical, but ultimately hopeful about the impact of collective action.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode offers a timely primer in harnessing economic power and individual action for systemic change, while candidly dissecting the obstacles and emotional stakes involved.