The Next Next Thing

Sam Becker
  • 5.0 (7)
  • News Commentary

A podcast about what's happening now, and what comes next.

Episodes

  1. Jul 10

    Fruitless Toil: Finding Meaning in Work with Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza

    "Work" means different things to different people. Some people dread it, other people revel in it. Overall, though, it's a necessity for most of us. But it can feel...pointless, at times. In a more philosophical episode, Sam speaks with Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza, a writer and essayist, about an essay she wrote on this very topic. Emily writes about work, our relationship to it, and also hosts a podcast about work as well. If you've ever felt like you were wasting your life at your desk, this episode is for you. Host: Sam Becker Guest: Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza Links: Emily's website Emily's podcast: How to Be Anything Emily's Fast Company essay The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

  2. Jun 19

    Our Evolving Approach to Free Speech with Lee Rowland of the NCAC

    The Trump administration has used the heft of the federal government to bully, intimidate, and silence its critics in a way no other administration has before. In perhaps the most public display of policing speech, the FCC has tried (and succeeded) to "cancel" late-night comedians and talk show hosts. The United States was, previously, a country where things like this were not tolerated. But now, it seems, we are. What does that mean for free speech in the U.S. going forward? Will future presidents use the same approach? Will Americans stand for it? Host Sam Becker speaks with Lee Rowland, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, on the topic. Host: Sam Becker Guest: Lee Rowland Links: The National Coalition Against Censorship Sam Becker The "FCC" story Sam mentioned writing

  3. Jun 12

    How to Tell the World About Extraterrestrials with Dr. Brianne Suldovsky

    Discovering extraterrestrial life would be massive, and telling the world about it would be challenging as well. Our ability to communicate important scientific information has broken down, and that's a big problem. The pandemic played a role, and there are reasons that people may be skeptical or untrusting of authority. Host Sam Becker speaks with Dr. Brianne Suldovsky, a professor at Portland State University who specializes in science communication and public engagement, on the topic. Dr. Suldovsky published a white paper exploring how the government and scientists would communicate the discovery of extraterrestrial life, and how the approach could differ depending on what, exactly, we find. Host: Sam Becker Guest: Dr. Brianne Suldovsky

  4. Jun 9

    The Next Next Thing Trailer

    Introducing "The Next Next Thing," a podcast about what's happening now, and what comes later, hosted by writer and journalist Sam Becker.

  • 4 Episodes

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A podcast about what's happening now, and what comes next.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Becker
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Sam Becker
  • Show Website
    The Next Next Thing