Tag Archives: interviews

WTF with Marc Maron Has Ended: Discover Five of the Top Podcast Interviews

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In a significant shift, Marc Maron has revealed that he will be concluding his widely acclaimed podcast WTF with Marc Maron after running for nearly 16 years and over 1,600 episodes. The series finale is set to air later this year.

“After 16 years of podcasting, we’ve decided it’s been an incredible journey,” Maron stated during a recent episode. “Honestly, it’s time, folks. The WTF era is coming to a close. That’s our choice. Expect a final episode in the fall.”

Maron shared that he and his producer Brendan McDonald are feeling “exhausted” and “burned out,” yet they are “very satisfied with the work we’ve accomplished.”


When Maron launched WTF in 2009, he was already an experienced stand-up comic, having had his Air America radio shows cancelled. He began recording in his garage. Initially, WTF delved into Maron’s emotions as he connected with fellow comedians, revealing his anxieties about his career, relationships, and feelings of abandonment.

With Maron’s increased openness, the podcast transitioned from his personal struggles, including his battle with addiction, to more profound discussions related to creativity and fulfillment. The show attracted a diverse array of actors, directors, and musicians, and Maron’s conversational style inspired even the most notable guests to share untold stories.

For those looking to indulge, there are 1,600 episodes of WTF available (though earlier episodes may be behind a paywall). The highlights typically feature (male) comedians, including Conan O’Brien, Mel Brooks, and Norm MacDonald. However, some episodes, like those with Courtney Love and Ben Kingsley, haven’t been as well-received. Here are five standout episodes:




President Barack Obama recorded a WTF episode in Maron’s garage in Los Angeles. Photo: Pete Souza/White House

5 of the best Marc Maron interviews

1. Barack Obama (Episode 613, 2015)

This episode is a landmark in podcasting, showcasing how powerful the medium can be, even attracting a sitting US president to discuss issues like parenthood, racism, and gun control in a Los Angeles garage. It’s as impactful as the subsequent episode, The President Was Here, where Maron and McDonald share experiences with the Secret Service.

2. Robin Williams (Episode 67, 2010)

In this poignant interview, Williams opens up about his battles with depression, alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts. Maron later re-released it with a new introduction following Williams’ passing in 2014, and it was inducted into the Library of Congress National Records Register.

3. Louis CK (Episodes 111 and 112, 2010)

Over two captivating hours in 2010, Maron and Louis CK embarked on a therapeutic dialogue reflecting on their fractured friendship. CK expressed feelings of abandonment during a challenging period, while Maron acknowledged his hopes for CK’s success. Slate regards it as the best podcast episode ever; Maron himself, however, felt it wasn’t the best interview but found it personally beneficial.

4. Lynn Shelton (Episode 627, 2015)

This episode captured Maron’s initial meeting with indie filmmaker Shelton. At the time, they were both involved with others, but the chemistry was undeniable. They later fell in love and remained together until her tragic passing in 2020 from an undiagnosed blood disorder at age 54. Maron chose to re-release the interview shortly after her death, reflecting on their bond.

5. David Spade (Episode 669, 2016)

Known for roles like Joe Dirt and as the charmingly lascivious character in several films, Spade reveals his true humor in this episode. He shares a surprising personal story about being attacked at home, showcasing his knack for storytelling. “I had to cut him back to two days a week after that,” Spade recalls.

Source: www.theguardian.com

British companies recommend conducting video and face-to-face interviews to combat North Korean employment scams.

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British companies are being advised to conduct job interviews via video or in-person to avoid the risk of inadvertently hiring North Korean employees.

The caution comes after analysts noted that the UK has become a prime target for misinformed IT workers recruited by North Korea. These individuals are typically hired to work remotely, evade detection, and funnel earnings back to Kim Jong-un’s regime.

In a recent report, Google revealed an incident from last year involving a lone North Korean operative, with at least 12 aliases operating across Europe and the US. These IT workers were seeking positions in defense and government sectors. The new tactic involves fake IT professionals threatening to leak sensitive company data post-termination.

John Hultquist, chief analyst at Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, highlighted North Korea’s shift towards Europe, particularly targeting the UK.

He explained, “North Korea is feeling the heat in the US and has shifted its focus to the UK to expand its IT worker tactics. The UK offers a broad spectrum of businesses in Europe.”

Fraudulent IT worker schemes typically involve individuals with a physical presence in countries aided by “facilitators” or agents of North Korea.

These facilitators play crucial roles like providing fake passports and maintaining local addresses. Laptops used by these individuals often connect to servers in Pyongyang, not their current location. However, they seek jobs that offer unique devices for easier monitoring.

“Ultimately, having a physical presence in the UK is key to their expansion strategy across various sectors in the country,” mentioned Hultquist.

Hultquist suggested that conducting job interviews in-person or via video could disrupt North Korea’s tactics.

Sarah Kern, a North Korean specialist at cybersecurity firm SecureWorks, emphasized that the threat is more widespread than perceived by companies.

She recommended thorough candidate screening and HR education on deception tactics. Companies should prioritize in-person or video interviews to verify the legitimacy of potential employees.

“In the US, conducting in-person or video interviews to verify candidates’ background details is effective in ensuring you’re engaging with truthful candidates,” she added.

Kern noted that IT workers may propose unconventional methods like frequent address changes or the use of money exchange services over traditional bank accounts.

Bogus IT experts are infiltrating Europe through online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Telegram. Upwork stated that attempts to use false identities go against their terms of service, and they take strict action to remove such individuals.

As pointed out by Kern, North Korean IT workers often try to avoid video interviews, likely due to their working conditions in cramped spaces resembling call centers.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Maximize AI Technology for Successful Job Interviews and Competitive Salaries

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Charge your research

The concern about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing numerous jobs is widespread. However, in today’s competitive job market, not leveraging AI effectively as part of your search could mean missing out. Balancing the power of technology with the human touch is a tricky task.

You can utilize AI models like this chatgpt and Confused to apply for jobs while also researching employers, competitors, and industry trends.

Career Coach Hannah Salton mentions that some of her clients use AI to gather insights about companies, culture, competitors, and market positioning before applying or networking with small and medium-sized enterprises.

She explains, “For instance, if targeting ChatGpt, you can ask for recommendations on city-based marketing teams and small businesses. However, AI models may not always be completely accurate, so it’s advisable to cross-check results with other sources.”

AI can also help identify necessary skills to adapt to industry changes and build a future-proof career.

For example, jobsgpt from Smarterx’s tools can analyze how roles in your industry are evolving, assess tasks vulnerable to automation, and guide you on acquiring new skills or transitioning to a more demanding field.

Career Coach Eloise Skinner also suggests using AI to help clients find roles and industries that align with their skills, values, and explore beyond their usual choices. Job seekers can seek recommendations for roles matching specific skills, passions, and experiences using platforms like ChatGpt and Confused.

She adds, “AI can suggest roles based on past experiences, values, ambitions, and key skill sets. It can also summarize industry and job insights, such as career prospects, work-life balance, and salary expectations, aiding candidates in deciding where to apply.”

As a human

Hang Lee, founder of Brainfood adoption, notes that applicants often rush their applications out of fear of missing opportunities, leading them to use AI to speed up processes. This trend has resulted in recruiters receiving an overwhelming number of applications generated by common AI tools.

“I’m looking for candidates who sound human and show off their unique voice,” said one recruiter. Photo: Jakub Porzycki/Nurphoto/Rex

Marsab Look, who runs her own stationery brand, recounts receiving over 2,000 AI-generated applications that lacked personal touch, leading to instant rejection most of the time.

She points out, “Apart from the apparent copy-and-paste job descriptions from AI, many applications sound generic. Among thousands of applications, those that stand out are the ones with a human touch, showcasing their unique voice and genuine effort instead of solely relying on AI for research.”

Make sure to personalize your applications by citing specific reasons for your interest in the role, such as using the company’s products or aligning with their mission. Tools like ChatGpt, Grammarly, and Hemingway can enhance grammar and clarity in your writing, but remember to prioritize showcasing your personality and genuine enthusiasm over relying solely on AI.

Defeat the screening system

Today, many large companies utilize AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter CVs before human review. These systems scan applications for specific keywords and phrases to rank them based on job description matches.

“One of my clients struggled with their verbal resume,” Salton explains. “They used ChatGpt to highlight key skills concisely while maintaining their authentic voice. It’s essential to maintain a genuine tone.” For instance, you can ask ChatGpt to “enhance my resume, emphasize essential skills and experiences concisely and engagingly while preserving my voice.”

By signing up for LinkedIn Premium Career (£29.99/month after the free trial), you gain access to various AI-powered job search tools.

These include profile writing assistants that serve as CV enhancers, improving headings and summaries to stand out. You can also prioritize three job applications per month as top choices and make your profile more appealing to recruiters with validated badges and personalized messages when applying.

Additionally, you can directly message recruiters even without a connection and use job hunting features on LinkedIn to align your skills and experience with specific job requirements.

Sharpen your interview skills

To improve interview skills, combine AI interview tools with practice sessions with real people. Photo: Luminola/Getty

AI can serve as a valuable tool for practicing interviews. Skinner suggests, “Speaking your answers aloud provides a more authentic practice experience, helping you hear your own voice and identify areas for improvement. It’s crucial to use AI in conjunction with real practice sessions.”

For instance, ChatGpt’s Advanced Voice mode can offer feedback on delivery, pinpointing weaknesses that need addressing and boosting confidence for the actual interview. Activate the audio mode in ChatGpt’s search bar, provide job details, and request mock interview sessions tailored to specific roles for feedback on your responses.

Platforms like Google’s Digital Skills Training provide AI-powered career coaching to improve articulation of your accomplishments.

While AI plays a role in the application process, make sure to prepare adequately for real interviews. Being transparent about using AI for preparation demonstrates adaptability and a practical approach to technology.

Similarly to your resume, Julia Morgon, director of Recruitment Agency Brook Street, advises, “Don’t forget to infuse your personality into the interview; what makes you unique from your peers is what potential employers see most.”

Know your value

Utilize AI-powered platforms like Glassdoor and Payscale to research potential salaries and enhance your negotiation position. These tools can reveal companies that consistently offer above-market pay rates and highlight regional salary discrepancies and variations in remote work.

As roles evolve, so does compensation. Understanding these trends is crucial for negotiating offers, especially considering the average British worker changes jobs every five years, according to a survey by LV =. Platforms like TotalJobs and Reed provide detailed salary insights based on industry, location, and experience level to better benchmark your value.

Tom Buckell, director of Recruitment Company ManPower UK, recommends leveraging research insights in negotiations, such as being flexible with shifts, requesting examples, or training opportunities. “This approach provides more options to enhance non-monetary benefits if a potential employer cannot meet your salary expectations,” he adds.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Traditional Finance’s Increasing Involvement in Bitcoin Revealed – Blockchain News, Analysis, Interviews, Opportunities

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Last week, Bitcoin (BTC) rose 5.9% to close at around $37,000 compared to the previous week’s closing price of $35,000. This week has seen solid price movements, with BTC seeing fluctuations with prices increasing continuously every day from Monday to Friday. The highest trading price was observed on Thursday, reaching nearly $38,000. After this peak, prices declined slightly and stabilized at around $37,000 from Friday through the weekend.

BTC dominance, which measures Bitcoin’s market capitalization relative to the overall digital asset market, fell for the second consecutive week, settling at around 52.3%. This corresponds to a decrease of 0.7% compared to the previous week and highlights the continued dispersion of liquidity among more speculative assets. This is characteristic of a phase in which investors express confidence in the market and engage in riskier trades.

Trading activity continues to soar, with cumulative daily volume on centralized exchanges reaching $31.4 billion, calculated on a seven-day moving average. This figure is the highest since the end of March and reaffirms that the recent uptrend is driven by strong trading activity.

A notable aspect is the heavy involvement of traditional finance in the recent uptrend. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)’s BTC open interest exceeded 100,000 contracts for the first time, surpassing Binance and becoming the top exchange in terms of BTC open interest. This strong presence of traditional financial investors is evident in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) discount rate, which has now narrowed to 10.3%, its lowest level since August 2021. .

The increase in traditional financial activity related to BTC confirms the confidence market investors currently have regarding the approval of a future BTC spot ETF. It is important to note that the first final decision deadline from the SEC on the 21Shares BTC Spot application is scheduled for January 10, 2024. Presumably, to avoid giving issuers a first-mover advantage, the SEC will make a final decision to approve or deny all applications by this date. Additionally, applications for digital asset spot ETFs continue, with recent news including BlackRock’s ETH Spot ETF following Grayscale’s decision to apply for conversion from Ethereum Grayscale Trust (ETHE) to ETH Spot ETF. It has been revealed that he has applied for an ETF. How many weeks ago?

The surge in prices and trading activity, particularly through traditional financial channels, coupled with a consistent decline in the GBTC discount and significant net inflows observed in ETPs underlying digital assets, has led investors in the market to bet on approval. It suggests that Securing approval from the SEC is likely to attract significant investment from traditional finance, bringing an influx of new investors and potentially strengthening digital assets and pushing them into a more recognized asset class. . Conversely, a rejection would likely cause a short-term economic downturn, given the general expectation in favor of approval and the subsequent positioning of market participants, which will be heavily influenced by this expectation.

Source: the-blockchain.com