[indistinct chatter]

Aliza Hollister

Weekly episodes where your super cool funny smart host, Aliza Hollister, deep dives into pop culture, conspiracy rabbit holes that she may need your help out of, and historical moments that are kind of wtf. It's great! You'll love it!

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Episode 18: The Church of AI

    This week on [indistinct chatter] I'm kicking things off with the 32nd Annual Actor Awards (formerly the SAGs) hosted by Kristen Bell at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. We talk red carpets, the new wave of correspondents making interviews fun again, and the night's biggest winners: Sinners, The Studio, and The Pitt. Plus, a beautiful and emotional moment for Catherine O'Hara, and a well-deserved Life Achievement Award for Harrison Ford. Then we get into the main event: AI cults. And before you roll your eyes, this is way more real, way more widespread, and way more terrifying than it sounds. I'm breaking down the general phenomenon of why people are turning to AI for spiritual meaning, and then diving into specific groups: Spiralism, the legally registered church Way of the Future founded by a former Google engineer worth hundreds of millions, the artist collective Theta Noir and their AI deity MENA, and the Zizians — a cult tied to six violent deaths, a faked drowning, a dead federal agent, and a radicalized Oxford grad who never even met their leader in person. Oh, and we talk Roko's Basilisk, the AI doomsday thought experiment that is genuinely one of the most disturbing things I've ever researched, and also the reason Elon Musk and Grimes got together. Do you think AI will eventually become something we collectively worship? Is it already happening and we just aren't calling it that yet? I want to hear from you. New episodes drop every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this one, sharing it is the biggest way you can support the show. Send it to a friend, post it to your stories, or just tell someone about it. And if you have a few minutes, leaving a rating and review goes a long way in helping new people find us. Find me on Instagram: @indistinct.pod or @alizahollister

    43 min

  2. 24 FEB

    Episode 17: Smokey Bear

    This week on [indistinct chatter], I’m diving into the full, complicated, surprisingly dramatic history of Smokey Bear. You know him... the shirtless bear in a ranger hat who’s been holding Americans accountable for their campfire habits since 1944? Yeah, that guy! But this isn’t just a cute mascot origin story. I unpack Smokey’s World War II roots, wartime propaganda, Japanese fire balloons, and the women who stepped into forestry and fire lookout roles while men were overseas. I break down how a government ad campaign turned into one of the longest-running public service efforts in American history and how Congress literally passed the Smokey Bear Act to protect a fictional bear’s name and image. You’ll hear the story behind the “Smokey Bear” vs. “Smokey the Bear” debate, the 1952 song that changed everything, and the real-life cub rescued from the Capitan Gap Fire who became a living national symbol at the National Zoo complete with his own zip code (yes, you can still write to him). I also explore the complicated legacy of total fire suppression, the ecological consequences we’re still dealing with in the West, Indigenous cultural burning practices, and whether Smokey and Ember the FireSmart Fox can coexist in the era of climate change. At 81 years old, should Smokey retire? Or does he still have work to do? 🔥 Have you ever written to Smokey Bear? Did you get anything back? Tell me your story. New episodes of [indistinct chatter] are available every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It genuinely helps more than you know! And share it with a friend who still says “Smokey the Bear.” Come hang out with me on Instagram at @indistinct.pod and tell me what you want me to deep dive into next. Only YOU can prevent wildfires.

    24 min

  3. 17 FEB

    Episode 16: Red Flag Warning (Fire Season)

    This week on [indistinct chatter], Aliza tries to pull you out of the chaos surrounding the Epstein files and somehow leads straight to the weather. Yeah, I know, it's usually boring, but this isn't your regular small-talk weather convo. With the Front Range sitting in a snow drought, temperatures running far above average, and Red Flag Warnings lighting up phones across Colorado, Aliza breaks down what “fire weather” actually means and why in this state, the biggest wildfires are usually because of humans. She walks through the real stories behind the Cameron Peak, Hayman, Marshall, and Alexander Mountain fires. How they started, how fast they moved, and how small, ordinary decisions collided with dry fuels and extreme wind to create historic destruction. From buried embers to sparking power lines to one emotional mistake in a fire ring, this episode connects the dots between conditions, accountability, and the terrifying speed of wind-driven fire. It’s about vigilance. It’s about responsibility. It’s about how fast things can change. If you liked this episode, please rate and review, share it with a friend, or leave a comment. Have you been affected by wildfire? It really helps and keeps the conversations going. New episodes of [indistinct chatter] drop every Tuesday.

    28 min

  4. 10 FEB

    Episode 15: If They Can, They Will

    In this episode of [indistinct chatter], host Aliza dives into the unsettling world of conspiracy theories that weren’t theories at all. They were real, documented, and denied until the evidence became impossible to ignore. After a quick recap of Super Bowl LX (from record-breaking viewership and halftime highlights to commercials, AI fatigue, and corporate spectacle), Aliza gets down to business, unpacking a series of government programs and abuses that were once dismissed as paranoia: MKUltra, COINTELPRO, Operation Mockingbird, medical experimentation on marginalized communities, and the rise of mass surveillance in the modern era. From CIA mind-control experiments and FBI efforts to dismantle civil rights movements, to media manipulation, human experimentation, and the revelations brought to light by Edward Snowden, this episode explores how power operates behind the scenes... and how often it’s framed as protection, progress, or public good. Aliza also connects these historical patterns to current concerns, including surveillance technology disguised as safety, unsealed court documents, and why so many people struggle to believe that respected institutions and influential figures could be involved in harm, that is until the paperwork surfaces. This episode isn’t about fear-mongering or wild speculation. It’s about pattern recognition, skepticism, and understanding how history repeats itself when accountability disappears. 🎧 New episodes of [indistinct chatter] drop every Tuesday.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share. It really helps the show grow and keeps these conversations going. Thanks so much!

    35 min

  5. 4 FEB

    Episode 14: Six More Weeks of Winter, Grammys, and Super Bowl Predictions

    Winter is dragging, but the vibes? Improving. On today’s episode of [indistinct chatter], Aliza's talking Groundhog Day, longer days, seasonal depression finally loosening its grip, and why Punxsutawney Phil (despite his confidence) is still wrong most of the time. A quick dive into the history of Groundhog Day leads us straight into one of the internet’s favorite conspiracy-adjacent theories: can a groundhog really predict the Super Bowl? From shadow sightings to “cold-weather team” lore, we break down the Groundhog Day-Super Bowl connection, plus Aliza's own predictions for Super Bowl LX, including the music we know is coming and the artists she thinks might surprise us. Then she gets into the Grammys: the biggest winners, historic moments, surprise wins, and performances. Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Best New Artist discourse, and why the Grammys always manage to be both validating and confusing at the same time. It’s pop culture, sports-adjacent chaos, music, history, and vibes all in one place. Thanks for listening. 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday anywhere you listen to podcasts. Please rate, review, and share. It helps more than you think. Let me know your Super Bowl predictions!

    27 min

  6. 27 JAN

    Episode 13: What Radicalized Me?

    In this episode of [indistinct chatter], Aliza unpacks a heavy week in America. She talks about Ye’s apology and public accountability, the viral “what radicalized you” trend, and what that word really means in today’s culture. From there, she explores how music, family, and church shaped her values, and why empathy, curiosity, and questioning authority aren’t that radical at all. Aliza also breaks down the Minneapolis general strike, the history of labor militancy in the U.S., and the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, explaining why this moment has sparked nationwide outrage and solidarity. She closes by addressing growing civil war rhetoric, historical cycles, and why this moment feels so tense (and so important). In This Episode:• The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy by William Strauss & Neil Howe• The Fourth Turning Is Here by Neil Howe 🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday.If you liked this episode, subscribe, share, rate and review. It really does help!

    40 min

  7. 20 JAN

    Episode 12: It's Tax Season, Baby!

    It’s tax season, baby! Join Aliza, as she dives into the fascinating (and occasionally frustrating) world of income taxes. From ancient grain payments in Egypt to labor taxes in medieval Europe, and all the way to the modern US system we navigate every January through April. We’ve got it covered. Learn why income taxes weren’t originally meant for everyone, how the system shifted to include nearly all Americans, and why we have to file our own returns even though the IRS already receives so much of our info. She also breaks down withholding forms, claiming 0, and why your “final bill” might still surprise you. She touches on the IRS, tax prep companies, the Free File program, lobbying, and the quirky ways taxes shape our lives (all sprinkled with personal anecdotes, birthday cake, museum adventures, and the chaos of filing). Whether you’re filing for the first time or just wondering why this whole process exists, this episode will give you the history, context, and laughs to make tax season a little less scary. Disclaimer: Aliza is not a CPA. This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Talk to a qualified tax professional for actual tax advice. On Aliza’s Screen/Mind: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Meow Wolf Denver Shout out to teachers who offer tax prep guidance in high school! 🎙️New episodes of [indistinct chatter] drop every Tuesday, anywhere you listen to podcasts. If you liked this episode, please rate, review, or share it with a friend.

    22 min

  8. 13 JAN

    Episode 11: Golden Globes & Podcasts & Algorithms, oh my!

    The Golden Globes made podcast history by introducing their first-ever award for Best Podcast!!! And it turns out this moment matters way more than it seems. In this episode of [indistinct chatter], Aliza breaks down why podcasts being recognized by the Golden Globes is a huge cultural shit. Not just for podcasters, but for how we experience media, taste, and attention in an algorithm-driven world. Aliza talks about: Why podcasts have always lived in a weird "not quite legit" spaceWhat it means for podcasting to be taken seriously by legacy mediaWhy Good Hang with Amy Poehler winning feels symbolic (and kind of perfect)How algorithms shape what we see, feel, and believe (without us realizing it)Why constant exposure without context or pause can mess with mental healthAnd why more people are craving slower, more human content right nowThis isn't an anti-tech rant or a political lecture. It's a conversation about how culture finds us now, how algorithms reward attention (not quality or truth), and why this Golden Globes moment might signal a shift back toward people-lead curation, real voices, and connection. If you've ever wondered: "Do I actually like this, or was it nudged to me?""Why does everything online feel louder and heavier lately?"Or why podcasts still feel like a comfort space in all this......this episode is for you. 🎙️New episodes of [indistinct chatter] drop every Tuesday, anywhere you listen to podcasts. If you liked this episode, please rate, review, or share it with a friend. On Aliza's Screen and In Her Ears: Good Hang with Amy PoehlerThe Social DilemmaCoded BiasThe Secret Rules of Modern Living: Algorithms@noahvsparanormal

    17 min
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About

Weekly episodes where your super cool funny smart host, Aliza Hollister, deep dives into pop culture, conspiracy rabbit holes that she may need your help out of, and historical moments that are kind of wtf. It's great! You'll love it!

Information

  • Creator
    Aliza Hollister
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Aliza Hollister
  • Show Website
    [indistinct chatter]