Hit Pause with Star Price

Star Price
  • 4.8 (5)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

We're living in a time of sweeping change and constant chaos. HIT PAUSE with STAR PRICE is a podcast exploring the head-spinning cultural shifts happening every-single-day. From the fall of the world order to the rise of AI, from the insanity of our politics to the revolution of independent media (and what about Starbucks shrinking its cup size?) — we offer a look into what it all means, with a few laughs along the way. Host Star Price is a documentary filmmaker with 30 years of experience interviewing people who matter. New episodes every Thursday!

  1. 3d ago

    Are We Becoming a Surveillance State?

    You’re being watched. License plate readers, security cameras, facial recognition and other surveillance technologies are becoming part of everyday life, often without us fully realizing how much information they collect or who can access it. In this episode of Hit Pause, I talk with Dave Maass of the Electronic Frontier Foundation about the rapid expansion of surveillance technology, especially Flock’s automated license plate reader network. How effective is Flock at fighting crime? What happens when police can track where your car has been? What happens when federal agencies like ICE can access that data? And what happens when technology designed for convenience becomes a powerful tool for an increasingly authoritarian government? Dave argues that the issue isn’t simply whether surveillance technology can solve individual crimes. It’s whether we are building a system that makes it easier to monitor everyone. We also talk about the constitutional protections being eroded in the name of convenience, the growing resistance to surveillance technology in cities across the country, and why Dave is still optimistic that Americans can push back. CHAPTERS: 00:00 You’re Being Watched 00:44 Are We on the Precipice of a Surveillance State? 02:18 How Flock Cameras Track You 03:28 Why People Are Fighting Back 04:39 The Fight Against Surveillance Technology 06:02 Do Flock Cameras Actually Reduce Crime? 06:57 When the Constitution Becomes “Inconvenient” 08:50 Who’s Making Money From Surveillance? 10:09 Can We Stop This Technology? 12:02 Has Our Relationship With Technology Changed? 13:21 The Case for Flock Cameras 15:42 Can ICE Access Your Location Data? 17:37 A Perfect Tool for an Authoritarian Government 18:34 Can Congress Regulate Surveillance? 20:47 Could “Precrime” Become Reality? 22:18 Why Dave Maass Is Still Optimistic Website: https://hitpausepod.com

  2. Sep 9

    Can Talarico Really Beat Paxton in Texas?

    NEW SEASON: We head into the Texas Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton to find out whether the red state of Texas could actually turn blue. Texas has been a Republican stronghold for decades. But this race is different enough to raise a tantalizing question: Could James Talarico actually break through? For this episode of Hit Pause, I wanted to get beyond the campaign ads and political talking points. So I talked to Texas voters across the political spectrum about the issues that could decide this race—and brought their reactions to political reporter Alex Roarty for his analysis. We look at: Talarico vs. Paxton: Why this race is suddenly so competitive? Christianity: Two very different visions of faith—and a fight over which version belongs in Texas politics Masculinity: Why Paxton is attacking Talarico's manhood and whether that strategy is working Immigration: The issue Republicans have long used to their advantage, and whether that is changing Trans rights: Why the issue has become part of the campaign—and whether voters actually care as much as politicians think they do Paxton's scandals: His impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House, allegations surrounding his personal and political conduct, and why those controversies haven't necessarily driven Republican voters away The economy: Whether Talarico can convince Texas voters that Democrats can be trusted on business and jobs Money: Talarico's enormous fundraising advantage and the Republican money that could pour into the race The changing political landscape: Why Talarico's youth, communication skills and willingness to embrace new media may give him an advantage over the more traditional Paxton And then we ask the biggest question of all: Could Texas actually turn blue? The voters aren't in agreement. And after decades of Democratic disappointment in Texas, there's a lot riding on whether this time really is different. CHAPTERS: 00:00 — The Battle for Texas 01:10 — How Competitive Is the Race? 03:25 — What Do Texas Voters Actually Care About? 09:18 — Can Paxton’s Scandals Hurt Him? 13:21 — The $1,000 Pen Ad 14:57 — A Battle Over Christianity 18:26 — Is Masculinity a Campaign Issue? 22:18 — Immigration and the Texas Border 26:23 — The Fight Over Trans Rights 29:11 — Who’s Running the Better Campaign? 32:19 — Money: Talarico’s Huge Fundraising Advantage 35:17 — Can Texas Really Turn Blue? 36:36 — The Last Mile Problem For every episode, clips, background info, and upcoming schedules, and to reach out with comments or questions, visit our website: https://www.hitpausepod.com

  3. Sep 2

    Who's Telling the Truth?

    A HIT PAUSE SPECIAL EPISODE: Who do we trust when we no longer agree on what is true? In this 81-minute Uncut Conversation, historian, author, and media analyst Claire Potter goes much deeper than in our 30-minute July episode. We examine Donald Trump, the media, political polarization, independent media, the decline of corporate news, and how Americans decide what information they can trust. Potter argues that we're living in a media environment that doesn't simply reflect our political divisions—it can reinforce and intensify them, pushing us toward increasingly tribal ways of thinking. We also discuss authenticity in politics, why traditional media struggled to cover Trump, what happens to MAGA after Trump, and what historians may be able to tell us about this period in American life. This is the full, uncut conversation, including the longer answers, additional exchanges and ideas that didn't make the edited episode. If you're a political junkie, this is your 81-minute fix. Subscribe and follow us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hitpausepod And on Substack: https://starprice.substack.com CHAPTERS: 00:00 Who’s Telling the Truth? 03:13 Do We Still Have a Shared Reality? 04:30 Is Corporate Media Losing Its Audience? 07:07 Why Does “Authenticity” Matter? 09:41 How Fox News Changed Political Media 14:05 When Politics Became a Spectator Sport 16:31 Did the Media Create Our Tribal Politics? 18:18 How Trump Mastered the Media 22:10 Why Has the Media Failed to Cover Trump? 25:23 Why Can’t the Media Go Deeper? 27:25 The Politics of Authenticity 36:28 What Happens to MAGA After Trump? 44:39 How Will History Remember Trump? 48:03 How Do We Rebuild After Trump? 55:46 Are America’s Guardrails Holding? 1:00:52 What Will Happen in 2026 and 2028? 1:03:05 Is Democratic Socialism the Future? 1:18:10 Will America Swing Back to the Center? 1:20:34 Is There Still Hope?

  4. Aug 26

    The GOP's Great Betrayal

    A HIT PAUSE SPECIAL EPISODE: What happens when a lifelong Republican strategist concludes that the Republican Party he spent decades working for has lost its way? In this Uncut Conversation, Stuart Stevens and I go much deeper than my 30-minute May episode allowed. For 81 minutes, we talk candidly about the transformation of the Republican Party, Donald Trump, the choices that brought us here, and what Stevens believes has happened to the party he once helped lead. Stevens was a senior Republican political consultant who worked on five presidential campaigns, including Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. Today, he is one of the most outspoken critics of the direction the Republican Party has taken. This is the full, uncut version of our conversation, with longer answers, additional exchanges, and moments that didn't make the edited episode. You'll hear the conversation from hello to goodbye, with nothing left on the cutting-room floor. And if you've seen the social media clip from this conversation that took off, this is the full conversation behind that clip. Subscribe and follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hitpausepod And on Substack: https://starprice.substack.com/ CHAPTERS: 00:00 The GOP’s Great Betrayal 02:40 Why Republicans Won’t Defy Trump 06:52 Has Trump Ever Had This Much Control? 09:39 Will the Republican Party Ever Reset? 12:43 The Roots of Trumpism 15:35 Can the GOP Be Changed? 18:31 Are America’s Guardrails Holding? 25:25 What Should Democrats Do? 30:47 The Institution Trump Is Undermining Most 32:30 Is Trump Smarter Than We Think? 36:04 Why the Media Keeps Normalizing Trump 38:44 Who Will Lead the GOP in 2028? 48:09 Who Could Lead the Democrats? 52:39 What Would You Say to a Republican Senator? 58:09 Is There Still Reason for Hope? 59:51 Is Ukraine Winning? 1:10:05 The GOP’s Russia Problem 1:13:46 How Stuart Stevens Keeps Going

  5. Aug 13

    The Senate fight for Maine

    Graham Platner is out. Troy Jackson is in. And suddenly the Maine Senate race is a very different fight. Can Jackson take the energy of the movement that grew around Platner and turn it into a winning coalition against Republican Senator Susan Collins? Joining us is Maine Monitor political journalist Josh Keefe, who explains what changed when Jackson became the Democratic nominee — from the appeal of his working-class roots to the challenge of winning over independents and Republicans. We also hear from six Maine voters who supported Platner about whether they're ready to get behind Jackson. We look at Collins' record, her vote for Brett Kavanaugh, her relationship with Donald Trump, and the challenge Democrats face in a state where ticket-splitting has helped Collins win in the past. This is the first of three big episodes taking us inside three critical Senate races in three very different states. First up: Maine. Next: Texas. Then Michigan. Subscribe to Hit Pause for more reporting and conversations that make sense of the chaos. On YouTube: https://youtu.be/nNlm6gScIh8 On Substack: https://starprice.substack.com/ CHAPTERS: 00:00 Can Democrats Finally Win Maine? 01:23 What Happens After Graham Platner? 03:31 Can Jackson Build a New Movement? 05:15 Can Troy Jackson Replace Platner's Charisma? 08:21 The Advantage of Being From Northern Maine 09:23 Can Jackson Win Republicans? 11:34 Susan Collins' Biggest Vulnerabilities 15:46 How Much Power Does Collins Really Have? 18:08 Can Jackson Unify Democrats? 20:05 Is the Race Really This Close? 21:12 What Should Jackson Do Next? 23:17 What's Next for Graham Platner? 23:59 What Does Collins Want to Do With Her Power?

  6. Jul 30

    What's With All The Conspiracy Theories?

    Emmy-winning comedian, actor, and writer David Cross joins Hit Pause to explore why more people are embracing conspiracy thinking, what the internet has done to our sense of reality, and why it's becoming harder than ever to agree on what's true. From the Dead Internet Theory and Project Blue Beam to Bigfoot and aliens, we explore why conspiracy theories spread so easily, and why so many people believe them. For more than 30 years, David Cross has found the absurd in American culture. In this episode, he brings that same curiosity and skepticism to one of today's most important conversations. If you enjoy thoughtful interviews about politics, media, psychology, technology, and culture, subscribe for new conversations every Thursday. Go to the show website for every episode, short, and article:https://hitpausepod.com And follow us on Substack: https://starprice.substack.com

  7. Jul 23

    Is This The Future We Want?

    Technology is changing our lives faster than ever. But the bigger question isn't what our machines can do—it's what kind of future we're creating. Roboticist and bestselling author Daniel H. Wilson joins me for a conversation about creativity, surveillance, robotics, human connection, and how we can remain human in an increasingly technological world. Want more? The Extended Cut—with 31 extra minutes of this conversation—is available to watch or listen on my Substack: https://starprice.substack.com — Hit Pause is a long-form interview show exploring the big cultural shifts shaping our lives. Subscribe for new conversations every Thursday.

  8. Jul 16

    Why Does America Feel So Different?

    Historian and Political Junkies author Claire Potter joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about the forces reshaping American politics, media, and public life. We explore why authenticity has replaced polish in politics, how cable news and social media changed the way we consume information, why trust in institutions has eroded, and what might come next after the Trump era. We step back to examine the bigger cultural shifts that have transformed the country—and what history can teach us about where we're headed. In this episode: • Why America feels so different today • Authenticity vs. truth in modern politics • How media changed politics • Why people trust institutions less • What happens after Trump? • Is there a path back to a healthier political culture? If you enjoy thoughtful, long-form conversations about understanding the big changes in our world, please subscribe to Hit Pause.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

We're living in a time of sweeping change and constant chaos. HIT PAUSE with STAR PRICE is a podcast exploring the head-spinning cultural shifts happening every-single-day. From the fall of the world order to the rise of AI, from the insanity of our politics to the revolution of independent media (and what about Starbucks shrinking its cup size?) — we offer a look into what it all means, with a few laughs along the way. Host Star Price is a documentary filmmaker with 30 years of experience interviewing people who matter. New episodes every Thursday!

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