Heart Reacts Podcast By Craig Gent and Sarah Jaffe cover art

Heart Reacts

Heart Reacts

By: Craig Gent and Sarah Jaffe
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About this listen

“Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the feels.”


We are HEART REACTS, an advice podcast for everyone trying to remain emotionally functional through the collapse of late capitalism. We’re here to answer all of the questions about love, friendship, family, and even work that you might want to ask two people who have spent adulthood trying to apply their radical political analysis, more or less successfully, to their personal lives.


We are Craig Gent, a writer and researcher living in Leeds, and ⁠Sarah Jaffe⁠, a journalist and author based in New Orleans.


You can send us your questions at www.askmeanything.cc/heartreacts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Gent and Sarah Jaffe
Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 24: Social Deskilling
    Jun 27 2025

    Welcome to HEART REACTS, an advice podcast for all of us trying to remain emotionally functional through the collapse of late capitalism.


    This week, we're taking a dive into the concept of "social deskilling." What does deskilling mean, and how does it affect our personal lives? (Thanks to Kelly Hayes of the Movement Memos podcast for the memorable phrasing.) And then we tackle yet another housing-crisis-related question: how scummy is too scummy a landlord?


    Stuff We Talk About:

    Movement Memos: We Must Burst Our Algorithmic Bubbles and Build Together Across Difference with Mariame Kaba

    Craig: Cyberboss: The Rise of Algorithmic Management and the New Struggle for Control at Work

    Sarah: America's Massive Retail Workforce is Tired of Being Ignored

    Harry Braverman, Labor and Monopoly Capital

    Joanne McNeil, Lurking: How a Person Became a User

    Sarah: The Cost to Connect


    We are Craig Gent, a writer and researcher living in Leeds, and ⁠Sarah Jaffe⁠, a journalist and author based in New Orleans.


    Buy Craig's Book: Cyberboss

    Buy Sarah's Book: From the Ashes


    You can send us your questions at ⁠www.askmeanything.cc/heartreacts⁠.


    This episode was produced by, well, us! We apologize for any inconsistencies in audio quality. If you liked it and want to help keep us going, and help us improve our recording process, you can support us at ⁠patreon.com/HeartReacts⁠. You can subscribe to the show wherever you get podcasts, and please do rate us on those podcast apps!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Episode 23: Loving in a Simulation
    Jun 12 2025

    Welcome to HEART REACTS, an advice podcast for all of us trying to remain emotionally functional through the collapse of late capitalism.


    This week, we talk a little about the rebellion against immigration policing in Los Angeles and why big tech is a target, and then we answer a question about how to stop a friend from becoming a notorious "nice guy."


    Stuff We Talk About:


    Brian Merchant, "The Weaponization of Waymo"

    C.M. Lewis, "Los Angeles is Now the Country's Leading Union Town"

    Rivkah Brown, "Couriers Stunt Dalston’s Gentrification. The Police and Council Want Them Gone"

    Veena Dubal

    Brandy Jensen, "I Wish My Single Life Was Enough For Me"

    Amia Srinivasan, The Right to Sex

    Esther Perel, How's Work Season 1 Episode 7


    We are Craig Gent, a writer and researcher living in Leeds, and ⁠Sarah Jaffe⁠, a journalist and author based in New Orleans.


    Buy Craig's Book: Cyberboss

    Buy Sarah's Book: From the Ashes


    You can send us your questions at ⁠www.askmeanything.cc/heartreacts⁠.


    This episode was produced by, well, us! We apologize for any inconsistencies in audio quality. If you liked it and want to help keep us going, and help us improve our recording process, you can support us at ⁠patreon.com/HeartReacts⁠. You can subscribe to the show wherever you get podcasts, and please do rate us on those podcast apps!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Episode 22: Training Ourselves to Feel
    May 30 2025

    Welcome to HEART REACTS, an advice podcast for all of us trying to remain emotionally functional through the collapse of late capitalism.


    On this week's show we think about the collapse of late capitalism getting collapse-ier, and attempt to advise two listeners about feeling prioritized in relationships. The first has a question about a friendship breakup, and the second brings us back to our favorite subject: polyamory.


    Plus, we have an update from last episode's question-asker about kids on strike!


    Stuff We Talk About:

    Sarah, Donald Trump's Disastrous Scott Walker Moment

    Natasha Lennard, “The Uses and Abuses of Politics for Sex”

    Becca Rothfeld, All Things Are Too Small

    Amia Srinivasan, The Right to Sex

    Katherine Angel, Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again

    From Boundaries to Attachment: The Uses and Abuses of Pop Psychology feat. Lily Scherlis


    We are Craig Gent, a writer and researcher living in Leeds, and ⁠Sarah Jaffe⁠, a journalist and author based in New Orleans.

    Buy Craig's Book: Cyberboss

    Buy Sarah's Book: From the Ashes

    You can send us your questions at ⁠www.askmeanything.cc/heartreacts⁠.


    This episode was produced by, well, us! We apologize for any inconsistencies in audio quality. If you liked it and want to help keep us going, and help us improve our recording process, you can support us at ⁠patreon.com/HeartReacts⁠. You can subscribe to the show wherever you get podcasts, and please do rate us on those podcast apps!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 15 mins
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