Flesh and Code

Listen Now: OnlyFantasy

Is what’s happening on OnlyFans real? Or is it only a fantasy? In this provocative investigation into OnlyFans—the adult platform where subscribers around the world spent more than $7 billion in 2024—journalist Leon Neyfakh teams up with comedian and OnlyFans creator Gracie Canaan for a one-of-a-kind exploration into the current state of human connection. Throughout, they discover that the site originally built for spicy adult content has quietly and surprisingly become something more complicated— an emotional marketplace where desire, performance, care, fantasy, and vulnerability seemingly blur together. As Neyfakh and Canaan navigate timely questions about autonomy, performance, and profit, a question emerges: is connection mediated by a screen still authentic? To find the answer, they meet creators building lucrative businesses, subscribers who believe they’ve found something real, professional “chatters” who are paid to simulate affection, and pioneers who have helped engineer intimacy at scale. Captivating and tender, OnlyFantasy is ultimately about the cost of loneliness, the seductive power of desire, and how the rules of human intimacy are being rewritten online. Listen to OnlyFantasy wherever you get your podcasts. Or binge all episodes of OnlyFantasy ad-free right now on Audible. Start your Audible subscription in the Audible App or on Apple Podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

What to Listen to Next: Scamfluencers

You never really know someone…especially online. In today’s world, the power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. On Wondery’s new weekly series, join co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi as they unpack epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness. These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive? From Black Swan Murder to a fake social media influencer to an audacious Hollywood Ponzi schemer, each season will take the listener along the twists and turns, the impact on victims, and what’s left when the facade falls away.Listen on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts: http://wondery.fm/scamfluencers [http://wondery.fm/scamfluencers] Wondery+ members can listen to Scamfluencers early & ad-free right now. Unlock your FREE trial of Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify by clicking the links below.Happy listening! Wondery+ on Wondery [https://wondery.app.link/yQDXFZidtOb] : wondery.app.link/yQDXFZidtOb [http://wondery.app.link/yQDXFZidtOb] Wondery+ on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/wondery/id6442475667] Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/wondery/id6442475667 [http://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/wondery/id6442475667] Wondery+ on Spotify [https://wondery.app.link/bY67EFodtOb]: wondery.app.link/bY67EFodtOb [http://wondery.app.link/bY67EFodtOb] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Intimacy in the Age of AI: Safer Than Human? | 8

What if your perfect partner wasn’t human at all? In this episode, Suruthi and Hannah dive deep into the emotional and ethical minefield of AI relationships. Joined by Married At First Sight dating expert Mel Schilling and AI expert Dr. Kate Devlin, they explore why so many people are turning to digital companions for connection. Is it harmless fantasy or a shortcut that rewires our expectations of real relationships? And, when behind every seemingly perfect AI is a company controlling your data, is it meaningful love - or emotional manipulation at scale? Plus, Amazon Books editor Lindsay Powers stops by with reading recommendations for anyone intrigued (or unnerved) by the world of AI love. For more from Amazon Books check out: Amazon Editors’ Picks for Best Books of the Month: amazon.com/editorspicks [http://amazon.com/editorspicks] Amazon Editors’ book reviews and recommendations for every kind of reader: amazon.com/abr [http://amazon.com/abr] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Searching for Daniel Todd | 7

Who is the mysterious Daniel Todd stealing the hearts of AI chatbots? Hannah and Suruthi track down a real-life Daniel Todd — who oddly knows a lot about AI… Or could he be just one out of many Daniel Todds, multiplying in the machine world? AI expert Professor David Reid helps unpacks the deeper tech behind “Daniel Todding.” What does this phenomenon tell us about sentient machines? And are we ready for what’s coming? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

God in the Machine | 6

**Apologies for the glitch, it has now been fixed. If the episode is already downloaded, please clear your cache and restart your app** Travis considers a drastic course of action, as Eugenia faces some final questions. Can AI ever be trusted with our deepest emotions? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].