Episode 8 - The One Where Bridget Todd Befriends A Chatbot

Award-winning journalist, podcast host, and digital activist Bridget Todd has spent years examining how technology shapes our lives. Then in 2025, within an incredibly short period of time, Bridget’s mom died suddenly and she became a caregiver for her seriously ill dad. She was grieving, overwhelmed, and suddenly responsible for navigating an endless list of medical, insurance, and caregiving decisions. And that’s when an AI critic turned to AI. Bridget’s experience inspired her new audiobook, Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy , which investigates something that sounds like science fiction but is very much already here: people turning to AI for romance, friendship, therapy, companionship and emotional support. And she joins Holly to talk about losing the people you love, wondering who would actually show up for you in a crisis, and finding yourself reaching for comfort somewhere you NEVER thought you would. *** SHOW SPONSOR: If you’re struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠nocd.com/EverybodyKnows⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Follow Bridget on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetmarieindc/ And download a copy of her new audiobook Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826 Help us make the podcast even better by filling out our super quick Listener Survey: ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerWndH2g94NV4vEPax23vw6P-rZNBcCjNL0QFSUihd1RCS8w/viewform Do you have a story of family secrets or darkly funny drama that you want to share? We want to hear it! Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Support the show at our new Patreon starting at $5/month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/everybodyknowsbutme⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And make sure you leave a rating and a review, or drop a comment below! Writer - Holly Brown Executive Producers - Jeremiah Tittle & Holly Brown Lead Producer, Editor, Music Supervisor & Sound designer - Pete Musto Associate Producer - Ilana Nevins Video Editor & Mix Engineer - Alex Musto Original Score Composer - Kyle Murdock Original Artwork - Aaron Hill Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hollybrowncomedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow the show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EverybodyKnowsButMe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices