Techishly Jenn

Jennifer Jolly

In a world where technology moves faster than common sense, Emmy Award-winning journalist Jennifer Jolly is your sharp, funny, no-B.S. guide. Techishly Jenn cuts through the hype to show how the tech tools we all use every single day — actually impact our lives — and how to make it all work for you. From the latest gadget launches to AI tools, privacy pitfalls, smart-home surprises, and the invisible forces behind them all, this is tech that matters. Subscribe to the weekly tech newsletter at Techish.com for sharp reporting with real-world heart—equal parts practical advice, investigative curiosity, and laugh-out-loud honesty about the digital age we’re all trying to survive. Rights & Retention Notice: All rights, ownership, and creative control related to Techishly Jenn content, brand, and distribution remain fully and exclusively with Jennifer Jolly / Techs Appeal Inc. © 2025 Techs Appeal Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited. —----

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    Kids Are Saying “Enough”: Inside the Quiet Rebellion Against Phone Addiction with Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price

    This is a can’t miss episode. There’s a quiet rebellion happening — in kitchens, classrooms, and bedrooms — and it’s not coming from Silicon Valley. In this powerful episode of Techishly Jenn, Jenn sits down with Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price, co-authors of the new book The Amazing Generation, to talk about what’s really happening to kids growing up with smartphones, social media, and now AI. If The Anxious Generation helped parents understand what went wrong, The Amazing Generation is about what comes next — and why kids themselves are starting to say “enough.”  This isn’t a tech-panic episode. Jenn, Jonathan, and Catherine make it clear: technology isn’t the enemy. But addictive design, unregulated platforms, and giving kids adult-grade tech before their brains are ready? That’s where things go sideways. Together, they unpack how smartphones became “supercomputer slot machines,” why social media harms girls and the broader techno-sphere traps boys, and why AI may pose an even bigger developmental threat if we don’t slow down and get this right. Along the way, Jenn shares candid parenting moments, including the uncomfortable but essential question every parent should ask their child — and themselves. This is one of the most honest, emotional, and practical conversations we’ve had on the show — about kids, screens, guilt, hope, and how we reclaim childhood without shame or lectures. What You’ll LearnWhy kids don’t need smartphones — and what they actually need insteadHow social media and games are deliberately designed to hijack young brainsWhy the damage isn’t anecdotal anymore — and what the research really showsWhy girls are hit hardest by social media and boys by the broader techno-sphereThe heartbreaking question parents should ask their kids about phone useWhy “no screens in bedrooms” is the single most important rule you can makeHow AI could be more dangerous than social media for child developmentWhy kids themselves are leading the rebellion — and what gives real hope Episode ResourcesThe Amazing Generation (website)The Amazing Generation (book)Jonathan Haidt (website) Jonathan Haidt (Instagram)Catherine Price (website)Catherine Price (Instagram) Tell Us What You Think Have you already given your child a smartphone — and now wish you’d waited? What rules are working (or not) in your house? This episode isn’t about guilt — it’s about doing better together. Share your thoughts, questions, and hard moments with us. Support the Show Do us a favor. If you like what you hear, please rate and review Techishly Jenn — it helps more people find the show. Send your questions and comments to scott@techish.com.  Connect with Jenn Listen on WGN, Apple Podcasts, or a...

    37 min
  2. JAN 21

    CES 2026: I Survived The Good, the Bad, and the “Why Does This Exist?”

    There are tens of thousands of gadgets, gizmo’s and techy doo-dads at CES. But how many of them actually matter to you and me? What deserves a spot in your home and life this year and well into the future? Those are just a few of the questions Jenn and Producer Scott asked themselves and hundreds of other gadget-insiders for a solid week at the world’s most powerful tech convention in Las Vegas in early January.  Jenn and Scott have more than 30-years of CES experience under their well-worn belts. In this 2026 recap episode of Techishly Jenn, the two of them break down what stood out, what surprised them, what made them laugh, and what made them both quietly whisper, “Oh… this might actually matter.” From robots that crash (and occasionally charm), to AI health mirrors that claim to know you better than your doctor, to toilets that are doing way too much, this episode cuts through the hype to focus on the tech that feels real, useful, or at least entertaining enough to talk about.  They also bring back everyone’s favorite segment — Marry, Fund, Kill — because nothing says serious tech analysis like ranking gadgets based on vibes, value, and whether we’d actually sleep with them or just take ‘em out for a one night stand.  What You’ll Learn What was so insanely different about CES this year? (Spoiler: it has nothing to do with “booth babes.”) Whether this the year we all get robot helpers in our homes…Why Tombot Jennie stole hearts (and why its purpose actually matters)Why toilet tech is “flush” with promise, but still has some crap to work out. The TVs and display tech that genuinely impressed us (hello, Dolby Vision 2 and Wallpaper TV)The gadgets we’d marry, fund, or bury in the backyard next to our kids’ first pet hermit crab.  Episode Resources Tombot Jennie and the future of robotic companionshipNuralogix Longevity Mirror and AI health monitoringNuance Audio Hearing GlassesHypershell Ultra X wearable exoskeletonOHM Home Resonance LampLG Wallpaper TV and next-gen display techCES show highlights [Instagram] Tell us What You ThinkWhich CES gadget would you marry? Which one deserves funding? And which one made you say, “Absolutely not”? Drop your hot takes, disagreements, and favorite CES finds — because half the

    29 min
  3. 11/20/2025

    We Want Safety. Not Surveillance. Can We Trust Flock Safety?

    *If you care about privacy, policing, tech ethics, or just want to understand who’s tracking your license plate and why — this episode is for you.* It’s pretty safe to say we all want less crime — but what are we willing to trade for it? In this episode of Techishly Jenn, Emmy Award–winning journalist Jennifer Jolly steps into the rapidly expanding world of AI-powered safety tech — where license-plate readers scan our streets and data promises to solve crimes before we even know they’ve happened. Flock Safety — America’s fastest-growing surveillance company — has quietly installed more than 80,000 cameras across 6,000+ communities, from school zones to shopping centers. Valued at $7.5 billion, it’s the crime-fighting giant most people have never heard of…until now. Jennifer sits down with Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley to explore how license-plate readers, AI, drones, and data are changing modern policing — and what that means for safety, privacy, public trust, and everyday life. What starts as a straightforward Q&A with a well-messaged CEO, quickly becomes a deeper conversation about crime prevention, civil liberties, data transparency, and how much responsibility technology companies should (or should not) have in how their tools get used. This episode is part crime-tech explainer, part civil-liberties gut check — asking not just can we build this technology, but ultimately who’s responsible for how it gets used? It pulls back the curtain on the gadgets shaping our world — asking hard questions, while keeping it smart, human, and just a little bit funny. NOTE: This episode was recorded in August 2025 🔑 What You’ll LearnHow Flock Safety became a $7.5B crime-tech powerhouseWhy cities and neighborhoods are racing to install automated license-plate readersThe controversies sparking lawsuits, watchdog warnings, and “Handmaid’s Tale vibes”Garrett Langley’s response to critics — and what he sees as the future of policing tech 📌 Episode ResourcesJennifer’s YouTube video on Flock SafetyJennifer Jolly’s USA Today column: The $7.5 Billion Eye in the SkyBackground on Flock Safety’s tech and controversiesFollow Jennifer on Techish.com and Instagram 💬 Connect with Jenn Newsletter: Techish by Jennifer JollyInstagram: @JennJollyYouTube: @TechishbyJenniferJollyTikTok: @JenniferJollyTechishTwitter/X: a...

    33 min
  4. 11/12/2025

    Andrew Yang Wants Your Phone Bill To Stop Brainwashing You

    If you’ve ever looked at your monthly cell bill and thought, “Why am I paying premium prices to get doom-scrolled into a bad mood?” — this one’s for you. In this episode of Techishly Jenn, Emmy-winning tech journalist Jennifer Jolly sits down with Andrew Yang — yes, the former presidential candidate — who’s now CEO of a brand-new wireless carrier called Noble Mobile. The pitch: save real money, get rewarded for using your phone less, and stop being the product in a data-harvesting economy. Is this refreshingly human… or just really good branding? We dig in. What starts as “new phone plan, who dis?” quickly turns into a bigger conversation about money, mental health, attention, trust, and how tech could reflect our values instead of hijacking them. We also go behind the curtain on politics, power, and why switching carriers after 25 years can feel like breaking up with your high school sweetheart — but in five minutes.  What You’ll Learn • The big idea behind Noble Mobile: why it charges less, how the month-end rebate works, and why your data isn’t for sale • How a carrier can nudge you to doom-scroll less without turning into your nagging aunt • Why so many famous folks are launching MVNOs — and what makes this one different (or not) • The money–mental health loop: why saving $50–$100 a month actually changes how you feel • Yang’s 10-year prediction: your phone as a reflection of your values, identity, and community • A candid look at politics, polarization, and why “we are the adults in the room” now (weird, right?)  Episode Resources • Noble Mobile (plan details, rebates, referrals, and savings calculator) • Andrew Yang’s recent talk on media, polarization, and optimism about the future • Jennifer’s coverage and ongoing review notes at Techish.com  Tell Us What You Think If a carrier paid you to scroll less — would you switch? What would it take? Send questions and hot takes for our follow-up Q&A.  Connect with Jenn  Newsletter: Techish by Jennifer JollyYouTube: @TechishbyJenniferJollyTikTok: @JenniferJollyTechishInstagram: @JennJollyTwitter/X: @JenniferJollyLinkedIn: Jennifer Jolly  Support the Show If this episode helped you think differently about tech (or your bill), please rate and review Techishly Jenn. It helps more people find the show — and keeps us from becoming just another boring tech podcast.

    30 min
  5. 11/06/2025

    Cars That Keep the Lights On: GM’s Big Bet on EVs as Home Power

    Ever wished your backup battery was, well, bigger?  In this episode of Techishly Jenn, I sit down with Lynn Ames, GM’s behind-the-scenes “energy whisperer,” to unpack the bold idea behind GM Energy: electric vehicles that don’t just drive you to the store — they can keep your house running when the grid goes dark. We talk about vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), real-life blackout stories, safety, incentives, affordability, and what it takes to make 100-year-old industries work together. Quick note: we recorded just before GM reported a $1.6B EV loss — so we also tackle the big question head-on: can cars that give back still move the company (and the country) forward? Also — Producer Scott talks about his latest Techish review of the Garmin Bounce 2 smartwatch for kids. Can it give his kids a little more freedom and give him fewer worries about letting them roam? What works, and what doesn’t, for parents and kids alike.  🔑 What You’ll Learn How V2H actually works in a blackout: what stays on, what switches over, and why it’s silent, seamless, and fume-free.From driveway to micro-grid: the path from V2H to V2G, where millions of EVs can stabilize the grid — and potentially earn you money.Control, safety, and security: who decides when energy flows, how protections work, and why mobility needs always come first.Real incentives, real numbers: rebates, utility programs, and why a $499 “generator” isn’t the only smart family investment we talked about.Access & affordability: under-$30K entries (hello, Bolt return), used-EV dynamics, lower maintenance, and where costs are falling fastest.Women leading the future of energy + mobility: two women talking candidly about the next era of vehicles, power, and family resilience. 📌 Episode Resources Can EV’s Save the Grid? Jenn’s USA Today article about powering her home with an EV for a week – [link]Jennifer’s Hands-on Video with the GMC Sierra –  [link]Jennifer’s Hands-on Video Powering Her Home – [link] GM Energy: V2H, PowerBank, utility partnerships, and program eligibility – [link]Getting Started with V2H: home assessment, transfer switch basics, and safety checklist – [link]Find Incentives: federal, state, and utility rebates for EVs and home energy – [link]Techish coverage and hands-on tests from Jenn’s blackout experiences – [link]Scott’s Techish coverage and hands-on review of the Garmin Bounce 2 – [link] 💬 Tell Us What You Think Would you let your car keep your lights on — or sell...

    38 min
  6. 10/29/2025

    Can a New Screen Actually Fix Our Screen Addiction?

    A screen that fixes screens? That’s the bold new idea behind a brand-new gadget called Board — a 24-inch tabletop console where physical pieces are the controllers: knives that cut, stairs you build, spaceships you fly — all on a shared digital board. Founder Brynn Putnam (who sold Mirror to Lululemon for half a billion dollars) and game veteran Seth Sivak (ex-Blizzard, World of Warcraft) join Jennifer to talk about their bigger bet: ending solo screen time and making face-to-face play effortless for toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents alike. We dig into how it works (and why an iPad can’t), why the “Best Family Game” can’t keep being single-player, what $499 actually buys at launch (12 original games and the pieces), and what it takes for a woman-led hardware startup to create a whole new category in 2025. What starts as “Isn’t this just a big iPad on a table?” quickly turns into a deeper conversation about how we use screens, what real connection looks like, and why this one — powered by physical play — actually feels like magic. 🔑 What You’ll Learn • Why Board exists: the problem with “family” tech that still keeps everyone alone on their own screens • How the hardware + software + object recognition work together (and why a tablet can’t do this) • Why Board’s games beat nostalgia, especially when the controller is a robot, a spaceship, or a stair block • The intentional multi-generational design: From toddlers to grandparents, Board needed to figure out a way to make the platform seamless, regardless of age • Price and value: why $499 aims to compete with consoles, not tablets, and what comes next • Category creation in 2025: the realities of fundraising, shipping hardware, and a woman leading in gaming 📌 Episode Resources • Board - ORDER TODAY [URL] • lululemon athletica inc. to Acquire Home Fitness Innovator MIRROR [URL] • Jenn’s Board review on Techish.com [URL] and USA Today [URL]  💬 Tell Us What You Think Would you spend $499 to bring everyone back to one screen? What game would sell you on the concept? What topic do you want us to tackle next? Drop a comment and send your questions and hot takes for our follow-up Q&A. 💬 Connect with Jenn Spotify: Techishly JennNewsletter: Techish by Jennifer JollyYouTube: @TechishbyJenniferJollyTikTok: @JenniferJollyTechishInstagram: @JennJollyTwitter/X: @JenniferJollyLinkedIn: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjolly/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    31 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

In a world where technology moves faster than common sense, Emmy Award-winning journalist Jennifer Jolly is your sharp, funny, no-B.S. guide. Techishly Jenn cuts through the hype to show how the tech tools we all use every single day — actually impact our lives — and how to make it all work for you. From the latest gadget launches to AI tools, privacy pitfalls, smart-home surprises, and the invisible forces behind them all, this is tech that matters. Subscribe to the weekly tech newsletter at Techish.com for sharp reporting with real-world heart—equal parts practical advice, investigative curiosity, and laugh-out-loud honesty about the digital age we’re all trying to survive. Rights & Retention Notice: All rights, ownership, and creative control related to Techishly Jenn content, brand, and distribution remain fully and exclusively with Jennifer Jolly / Techs Appeal Inc. © 2025 Techs Appeal Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited. —----