Kaleidoscope, iHeartPodcasts Launch ''Kill Switch'' Podcast

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 9:35am CT

Kill Switch

iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope have debuted a new podcast, Kill Switch, exploring the fast-moving intersection of technology and culture. Hosted by journalist Dexter Thomas, Ph.D., the series aims to pull back the curtain on the digital systems shaping our lives-from AI and online privacy to bizarre internet subcultures. The first episode is available now, with new episodes released every Wednesday.

"We're living in a moment where technology is advancing faster than most people can realistically track or understand," said Thomas. "Enter Kill Switch, where we demystify the science and dissect the tech of the immediate now, breaking things down in a way that's real, useful and applicable to our day-to-day lives."

Described as a "technology survival guide to modern culture," Kill Switch combines storytelling, expert interviews, and DIY segments titled "How to Now." These practical guides will teach listeners how to run their own large language model or protect their digital privacy. The show promises to answer questions both serious and strange-like who's behind "Shrimp Jesus" and whether it's possible to be arrested by an algorithm.

Thomas, a three-time Emmy winner, has reported for outlets including The Los Angeles Times, WIRED, The Guardian, and VICE News Tonight. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and has served as a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton. A former Fulbright scholar and musician, his eclectic background brings a multifaceted lens to the show's storytelling.

"The future is now," said Kate Osborn, Executive Producer and Chief Strategy Officer at Kaleidoscope. "Kill Switch is looking at how tech is affecting our lives and the ways we understand the world right now. We look forward to helping people not just keep up with the latest shifts in our supercharged technological reality, but to feel empowered to reclaim control of their lives within it."

"At iHeartPodcasts, we're always looking for shows that push boundaries, spark curiosity, and speak to the cultural moment, and Kill Switch does exactly that," added Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. "Dexter Thomas brings an unmatched voice to the tech space and we're proud to launch this show with Kaleidoscope to help audiences better understand the fast-moving world around them."

Kill Switch is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is now available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms.