So, Bob: An advice show how technology invades our lives

The Premise (from Apple Podcasts):

A weekly conversation between the tech-world’s newest odd-couple. Each week, civilian podcast-maker Alia Tavakolian and veteran tech-journalist Bob Sullivan tackle your questions about what technology is doing to you, no matter how big, small, specific, or arbitrary. Because you’re not dumb for wondering. You’re being hacked.⁣

Series or standalone:

Standalone

Begin listening to:

Any episode

Format:

Discussion/advice

Host(s):

Alia Tavakolian and Bob Sullivan

Sound/production quality:

Very good

Rating/age suitability:

Primarily for adults but generally fine for teens/kids to hear

Approximate length of episodes:

45 minutes

Curricular ties:

This could certainly be used to bolster discussions and lessons about internet safety and digital citizenship.

Similar recommended pods:

n/a

Podcast Librarian’s Review: From its premiere, I’ve listened to So, Bob for its laymen’s terms explanation of how technology has impacted our lives, for better or worse. In fact, a lot of the episodes focus on when tech gets too “creepy.” From targeted ads to your FitBit recording you while you sleep to how tech makes our relationships closer or more distant, this is an accessible tech podcast for those of us who don’t really understand tech and why our personal data or privacy is such a big deal. Each episode begins with host Alia asking her tech expert Bob Sullivan, “So, Bob...[insert tech question here]?” But the thing I love most about this podcast right now has absolutely nothing to do with tech. Alia and Bob are now releasing daily mini-sodes (~15 minutes) where they share with each other one good thing to take our minds off of the pandemic pandemonium. These range from music to Frozen 2 to a firehouse lesson on safety—and much more. Through these check-ins, it’s clear that Alia and Bob are actually real-life friends who care about each other a lot, which I didn’t necessarily know from their regular episodes. And just like us, some days are better than others for them, so finding that one good thing can be tough some days. They have pivoted really well from their main podcast topic to bring relevant suggestions that are easy for the listener to try out—it may just become your “one good thing,” too!⁣ P.S. You can also hear my own voice on a mini-sode in which I ask just how creepy Alexa is.