The hottest Interviews Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The impeccable logic of Sam Altman

Marcus on AI • 4426 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. Sam Altman shares insights on artificial intelligence and its impact on society.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of careful consideration and planning for AI's future.
  3. Altman encourages open discussions about the ethical implications of AI advancements.

Hinternet Essay Prize Contest

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 293 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Carlyn Zwarenstein won the 2025 Hinternet Essay Prize for her thoughts on how technology can help achieve lasting peace. She believes new tech can play a role in creating a more peaceful world.
  2. In her work, she explores the subjects of substance and its effects on pain and pleasure. She writes about complex topics in a way that is engaging and thought-provoking.
  3. Carlyn is a science journalist, showing that her writing not only focuses on literature but also on important and timely subjects in science.

Summer Roundup (2024)

polymathematics • 99 implied HN points • 16 Aug 24
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Each month, a roundup is shared featuring the best podcasts, readings, and creative projects discovered recently. It's a great way to find new interests.
  2. The summer roundup focuses on personal updates and some engaging new projects, like a physical internet phone book and a digital sidekick prototype.
  3. The author enjoys curating content and interacting with creative individuals, and there's an invitation for readers to recommend their own favorite finds.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Weekend Press: My Spare Embryos

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 287 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Interviews
  1. IVF leaves many couples with hard choices about what to do with unused embryos, forcing them to grapple with when life begins and whether embryos are more than biological material.
  2. New technologies like polygenic risk scoring are encouraging people to treat embryos as predictors of future traits, which raises ethical and social concerns about designing or judging potential children.
  3. Those ethical questions are presented alongside a broad mix of cultural and practical content — interviews, advice, reviews, and weekend recommendations — aimed at informing and provoking reflection.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 81

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Interviews
  1. The U.S. Army successfully boosted its recruitment by changing its marketing strategy, enlisting over 62,000 recruits in a year. This shows that a fresh approach can make a big difference in attracting new participants.
  2. Fatih Birol has become an influential figure, gaining attention from various groups, including politicians and climate activists. His insights on energy and climate issues are in high demand.
  3. Forbes created an email service that lets people send messages to their future selves, leading to a unique way for individuals to reconnect with their past thoughts and feelings. Many people have received emails from their younger selves, creating a bridge to their former lives.

The joy of interviews

Austin Kleon • 2158 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Interviews
  1. Listening to artist interviews is enjoyable and can be enriching. You might find interesting insights and stories that inspire you.
  2. Repetition in interviews can reveal important truths. When artists repeat certain ideas, it shows what matters most to them.
  3. Collecting and studying interviews can be like a mini class. You can learn valuable lessons from what artists say and how they express themselves.

Talking with Benjamin Boyce

Disaffected Newsletter • 659 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. The conversation features Benjamin Boyce, and it seems to focus on topics that are likely of interest to a wide audience.
  2. There's a promise of upcoming content on YouTube, suggesting that the discussion will reach even more viewers.
  3. Supporting independent creators like the one mentioned can help keep unique voices in the conversation alive.

Your Computer Interviewed Chris Curry (1981)

Computer Ads from the Past • 1152 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. Chris Curry helped develop the Acorn Atom, a popular computer in Britain, and was involved in the BBC's computer literacy project. This project helped shape computer education in the UK.
  2. Acorn computers focused on creating reliable and speedy products, highlighting the importance of quality in their designs. Their computers, like the Atom and Proton, gained traction due to good production and design.
  3. Collaboration and the need for standardization were key themes, especially when developing programming languages like Basic. Acorn aimed to create a version of Basic that combined the best aspects of existing languages, which could become widely adopted.

Hard Lessons, Charisma, Dad Saves America

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1155 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Great athletes usually have lower levels of anxiety and are very stable emotionally. This helps them perform better in sports.
  2. Charisma is about influencing others confidently and making them feel comfortable. It's an important trait for success in the workplace.
  3. People who get offended easily might have narcissistic traits. They may feel entitled and use their outrage to gain social advantages.

Cornel West Blows Jake Tapper's Mind

Useful Idiots • 2397 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Dr. Cornel West is running for president with the Green Party to spread his progressive message to a wider audience, including challenging Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
  2. Jake Tapper's mind was blown as he heard Cornel West call out 'milquetoast neoliberals' who aid fascism and explain why the militaristic machine needs to be stopped.
  3. Katie and Aaron highlight Trump's response to his indictment, RFK Jr.'s unusual behavior regarding Israel, and the importance of diverse viewpoints in media.

SAVE THE DATE-you're invited

Disaffected Newsletter • 479 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Join a live show recording on May 9 at 7 pm US Eastern time in Discord for subscribers. It will be a discussion with writer Joseph Sciambra.
  2. The show will explore controversial questions about the relationship between child abuse and homosexuality, including causes and correlations.
  3. Paid subscribers can interact during the event and their questions will be included in the episode when it's released.

Alan Sugar of Amstrad Speaks to Practical Computing (1985)

Computer Ads from the Past • 896 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. Alan Sugar wanted to create practical and affordable computers, focusing on what most users needed like word processing.
  2. He believed that many expensive computers had features that people weren't using, so he aimed to provide good value through integration.
  3. Sugar was cautious about expanding into the U.S. market, preferring to find committed customers before making large investments.

Do you ever wonder? Podcast

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 42 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
💼 Business Interviews
  1. A podcast interview explains the main forces shaping today’s housing market in a clear, approachable way.
  2. The conversation is concise—under an hour—so it’s a quick way to get up to speed on key ideas.
  3. It serves as an accessible introduction to the speaker’s perspective on housing, useful for newcomers and busy listeners.

Join Me Tomorrow On Substack Live For A Book Update And Q&A

Singal-Minded • 111 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
📚 Literature Interviews
  1. There's a live video update and Q&A tomorrow at 5:00 PM Eastern, with the join link sent five minutes beforehand to premium subscribers. It will start with a roughly 10-minute update and then move to audience questions for an estimated 45 minutes, and the recording will be available afterward.
  2. A book about the debate over youth gender medicine is nearing its deadline, which has caused delays in responding to reader questions.
  3. Readers are encouraged to post questions about youth gender medicine now, with the most upvoted questions prioritized during the live session, and the newsletter will have changes announced later this month or in early February.

Happy Sunday to You All

Story Club with George Saunders • 103 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
📚 Literature Interviews
  1. An interview ran in The New York Times and is available in written, video, and podcast formats.
  2. The post is behind a paywall and directs readers to subscribe or sign in to access the full content.
  3. The announcement greets readers and points them to the newly released interviews with links to each format.

A New Free Press Podcast That Will Change How You Think

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1057 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Coleman Hughes is a thoughtful and clear thinker on tough topics like race and politics. His insights, especially in uncertain times, are really valuable.
  2. His podcast 'Conversations with Coleman' features discussions on a variety of important subjects, starting with his first episode that includes a talk about God and criticism of the Free Press.
  3. New episodes of his podcast are released every Monday, available on popular platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, making it easy to listen regularly.

My Stationary Bandit Podcast

Bet On It • 55 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. The post highlights pioneering podcast episodes, noting an early show with Dwarkesh and a recent one with Isaac LaGrand.
  2. The latest conversation explores fresh, largely novel questions about state capacity, monoculture, and related topics.
  3. Listeners are invited to enjoy the episode, subscribe, and hope for more engaging conversations in the future.

A framework for ML Design Interviews

Recommender systems • 86 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. A repeatable ML design interview framework can greatly improve your success in FAANG-level interviews and has led to many offers.
  2. A good framework helps you pace the discussion, create a coherent narrative, and signal to interviewers what you would have covered with more time.
  3. The full framework is only shared privately on request instead of being posted publicly, so you need to message on Substack to receive it.

The Profile: The self-made billionaire who never read an investment book & the age-gappers defending their relationships

The Profile • 1031 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Interviews
  1. The Profile features original interviews with interesting people like self-made billionaire Anthony Geisler and age-gappers in relationships.
  2. The motto for the new year is to do one hard thing in 2024, inspired by Jesse Itzler's advice of taking on challenges for personal growth.
  3. The Profile offers insights from various personalities in interviews, sharing stories like Laura Dekker's solo sailing journey and Ron Shaich's advice on building iconic brands.

Solving The SwiftUI Interview

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2186 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. Understanding SwiftUI is crucial for coding interviews, especially for positions focused on iOS development. It helps you stand out as a candidate.
  2. Practicing Swift Concurrency will give you an edge in solving problems more efficiently during interviews. It's an important skill that employers value.
  3. Interviews don't have to be stressful or frustrating. Using structured approaches can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for both candidates and interviewers.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 69 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
📚 Literature Interviews
  1. A new UK edition of the book is available and there are a few upcoming UK events with limited tickets and signed copies for preorder.
  2. A pet recovered from a urinary infection, reminding us not to presume outcomes and to persist calmly through problems, and showing how community support can really help.
  3. Writing advice: you don’t have to surrender to the subconscious to make good work; try different versions, choose the ones that please you, and remember craft tips are just suggestions you can accept or ignore.

A Tech Interview that Doesn't Suck

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2186 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. Hiring great team members is really important because it affects everyone's work speed. Good hires help the team, while bad ones slow everyone down.
  2. Many tech companies rely on LeetCode tests to screen candidates, but this method might not show true skills. There could be better ways to assess coding abilities.
  3. Finding a more effective hiring process can improve how companies choose candidates, leading to better outcomes for teams. It's all about making informed decisions.

Forthcoming Book, Latest Interviews, and AI Armageddon

SINGULARITY WEEKLY • 1356 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. There are concerns about the risks and impact of advanced AI technology on society.
  2. Multiple experts are calling for a halt to the development of powerful AI systems due to potential negative consequences.
  3. The rapid advancement of AI technology is causing panic and hysteria as global leaders struggle to address the potential threats posed by AI.

On Dwarkesh Patel's 4th Podcast With Tyler Cowen

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1836 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. AI's impact on economic growth might be slower than some expect. Tyler Cowen believes AI will only add about 0.5% to the annual growth, which many perceive as low.
  2. Costs in certain sectors may rise due to AI's integration in others. This phenomenon, known as cost disease, could slow down overall productivity gains.
  3. The quality of people and institutions matters more than just having more people. Simply increasing numbers won't guarantee innovation or growth.

Rob Reiner: Between laughter and tears

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 112 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Interviews
  1. Great stories mix laughter and tears so they feel like real life, and giving audiences moments of humor provides needed release.
  2. Personal pain and family dynamics can be turned into creative work, and finding your own path—especially in the shadow of a famous parent—is a hard but meaningful journey.
  3. A beloved film can become part of people’s lives across generations, inspiring names, tattoos, and new fans who keep its legacy alive.

Weekly Reality Report

Reality's Last Stand • 609 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Interviews
  1. Weekly Reality Report includes highlighted articles, reading list, news headlines, and a Moment of Zen.
  2. Colin Wright invites debate on the biology of sex with SPLC to clarify misconceptions.
  3. X Space sessions hosted by Colin Wright discuss sex and gender ideologies, welcoming different viewpoints.

Enter the archive of a Steely Dan biographer

Expanding Dan • 687 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎶 Music Interviews
  1. Brian Sweet faced obstacles but persevered to create the essential Steely Dan biography 'Reelin' in the Years'.
  2. Sweet's dedication led him to conduct numerous interviews with key figures in Steely Dan's world.
  3. Steve Dan's influence continues to grow, attracting newer generations to their music and legacy.

Conversations with Andrew Sullivan and Marilyn Simon

Archedelia • 904 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Conversation with Andrew Sullivan on the Dishcast podcast covered a wide range of topics from personal anecdotes to societal issues
  2. The conversation included discussions on bureaucracy, childhood supervision, diversity, and the impact of technology on society
  3. Andrew Sullivan is praised for being a gifted interviewer who brings humanity to his conversations

Vol. 2, Issue 33 - Interview with Carol Monahan (Wizards of the Coast)

Johto Times • 39 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Interviews
  1. Carol Monahan was a key figure at Wizards of the Coast when they got the Pokémon Trading Card Game license. She helped ensure products were shipped to stores, which was crucial during the game's early success.
  2. Wizards of the Coast faced many challenges as they quickly expanded, especially when the Pokémon TCG became popular. They had to manage large shipments and secure enough resources to meet the demand.
  3. The sale of Wizards to Hasbro changed things, but at first, Pokémon continued to thrive. However, over time, Hasbro struggled to maintain their relationship with the Pokémon brand.

Thoughts on Lex Fridman's interview with Marc Andreessen

Machine Learning Everything • 1379 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. Marc Andreessen discusses the H1B visa system and its flaws, pointing out that it benefits large tech companies while startups struggle to access this talent. He believes attracting foreign talent is great, but the system is being misused.
  2. He critiques the current education system for diluting academic standards, which affects the identification of talented American students. Andreessen suggests that the changes made to standardized testing like the SAT have made it easier to achieve high scores without necessarily indicating real talent.
  3. Andreessen connects the rise of identity politics to a form of ancestor worship, criticizing modern societal structures that focus on identity over personal merit. He believes that this could lead to divisive outcomes and lacks a sense of redemption.

Channeling Curiosity

Range Widely • 530 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Pablo Torre's podcast _Pablo Torre Finds Out_ covers a wide range of topics beyond sports, aiming to entertain and inform across various subjects.
  2. Pablo Torre's show structure includes deep-dive episodes, talk show-style segments with friends, and one-on-one interviews with notable personalities, allowing for a diverse range of content.
  3. Balancing investigative reporting with entertaining content, Pablo Torre's podcast provides insightful stories while treating sports fans like adults.

The NBA's Baseball Series Chronicles

Marc Stein • 589 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Interviews
  1. The NBA has been implementing two-game baseball series for scheduling efficiency.
  2. Historical data shows that splits are the most likely outcomes in these series.
  3. Home teams in the NBA have historically had an average winning percentage of .586.

Reasonably Happy, Intelligent Partner, NYC event

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 757 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🎙 Podcasts Interviews
  1. Even with new technologies, people in America aren’t feeling happier overall. Our social lives are falling apart, which seems to take away from any advances we might have made.
  2. Babies need to be close to their caregivers to feel secure, a trait built into us over thousands of years. They often have trouble sleeping alone because of this natural instinct.
  3. Younger people today seem to have a more negative view of certain groups compared to older generations. This shows a shift in attitudes over time that might be concerning.

Livestream, 4:00 p.m. ET: How to Refute Lesley Stahl and "60 Minutes"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 3722 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Interviews
  1. There are official reports and papers that demonstrate the existence of a spying campaign and other abuses related to the Trump-Russia investigation.
  2. Documents like FISA warrant applications, operational plans involving informants, and unmasking requests provide concrete proof of surveillance and monitoring of Trump campaign associates.
  3. Key figures like FBI Chief James Comey and informant Stefan Halper were involved in activities that raise questions about their handling of information and motivations, prompting the need for further investigation.

What Interviews Should I Look For?

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Interviews
  1. The author is enjoying finding and sharing interesting interviews from old computer magazines. It's like digging for treasures from the past.
  2. The author is asking readers for suggestions on who they would like to see interviewed next. It’s a way to involve the audience in choosing future content.
  3. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments. This helps create a community and shapes the direction of future posts.