Feedback with Ira Madison III

This week on Feedback, Ira sits down with journalist, Engagement Party co-host, and NPR icon Audie Cornish for a conversation about interviewing, internet culture, and what makes a great conversation actually work. Together, they unpack the ingredients of a successful culture podcast, the ever-changing social media landscape (from Reddit to Bluesky to Threads), the evolution of the Heated Rivalry fandom, and the ways reality TV has reshaped how we communicate. Plus, Audie shares why asking the right questions is an art in and of itself.00:00 Welcome to Feedback with Ira Madison III03:53 Audie Cornish on Interviewing and Meaningful Conversations08:12 What Makes a Great Culture Podcast?15:36 Navigating Reddit, Bluesky, Threads, and Today’s Internet21:08 Reality Television’s Influence on Modern Communication28:42 Online Identity and the Rise of “Main Character” Culture35:15 Journalism, Trust, and the Value of Thoughtful Reporting44:18 Reading Habits, Books, and Discovering New Writers50:27 Longform Writing, Attention Spans, and Media Consumption56:17 The Social Reckoning, Tech Culture, and Modern Storytelling01:02:45 Public Figures, Power, and Our Fascination with Tech Leaders01:08:30 Closing Reflections on Curiosity, Media, and Better Conversations

Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix join Ira for a conversation straight from their group chat. In just one episode, they cover Summer House, Love Island, bandwagon culture, self-improvement books, movie theater snacks, the surreal experience of moving their podcast to Higher Ground Audio, and, in the process, becoming Michelle Obama's newest nieces. Plus, as always, plenty of extremely online opinions.01:45 The Connection Between The Knicks and Bravo07:31 Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix join the conversation08:34 Summer House Discussion14:55 Bandwagon Culture20:36 Dissecting The Artist's Way24:41 The New York Liberty Experience28:22 West Wilson, Beta Blockers, and the appreciation for Kyle Cooke40:05 Their podcast partnership with Higher Ground45:31 Food in movie theaters and the smashburger agenda48:12 Love Island USA Season 8 Discussion55:45 July Leos vs August Leos

After a year off, Ira is back on the mic. Feedback with Ira Madison III is a weekly pop culture digest unpacking the stories, internet obsessions, and debates lighting up your group chats. Joined by friends and cultural tastemakers, Ira dives into entertainment, politics, media, and the increasingly online world that's reshaping how we think, argue, and stay relevant. New episodes every Thursday.