In today’s Filtered: Nobel laureates say openness and creative destruction power growth, and the U.S. may be moving the other way. We unpack Cuba’s worsening crisis, Marc Maron’s goodbye interview with Barack Obama, the markets’ reaction to President Trump’s contradictory China messages, and a standoff between the Pentagon and major newsrooms over a new press policy.

Timestamp/Stories: 00:00 - Intro & headlines 01:22 - Market snapshot 02:07 - Nobel economists: innovation vs protectionism. 14:19 - Cuba: blackouts, migration, economy. 25:40 - Marc Maron: final episode & legacy. 36:09 - Trump’s China whiplash & market impact. 47:07 - Pentagon vs press, major outlets refuse new rules. 1:03:29 - Grab bag & final thoughts.

In today’s Filtered: Should Tim Cook step down after turning Apple from $300B into a $3T powerhouse, and why that’s smart timing. Markets in Asia skid after President Trump threatens 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, and the thread running through the whole rally becomes obvious: a handful of AI winners are carrying the market. We also examine a startling cosmetic trend, surgeons intentionally fracturing ribs to sculpt a “Barbie waist”, and a new survey showing many Americans would accept brand-sponsored weddings to afford their big day. The episode concludes with a blunt warning from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker about the White House’s recent behavior and the constitutional tools available if a president is deemed unfit.

Timestamps: 00:01:54 - Tim Cook’s Smart Exit. 00:12:32 - Tariffs & the AI Bubble (market risk). 00:42:24 - The rib-remodeling “Barbie waist” trend. 00:44:06 - Brand-sponsored weddings: survey highlights. 00:51:44 - Political alarm: threats against Illinois leaders.

Katie Porter’s viral moments are now a political liability. We dig into OpenAI’s Sora and the rise of deepfakes that put words in dead mouths — and why your favourite misattributed Einstein quote is fake. We also look at worker numbness, surging Black unemployment after DEI rollbacks, and how former pageant contestants have moved into MAGA power circles. Practical takeaways for communicators, voters, and leaders. Subscribe to Filtered for daily episodes.

Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00- Teaser & Intro.

01:53 - Katie Porter’s viral meltdowns.

19:50 - Deepfakes & the fake Einstein quote.

31:15 - Workers checking out; David Hockney’s late vigor.

47:46 - Black unemployment, DEI rollbacks, and turnout math.

59:08 - MAGA & pageants: crowns to cabinet.

1:02:10 - Wrap & call to action.

A rapid rundown of the five biggest headlines: Trump’s 100% tariff threat and a market sell-off; Kalshi’s huge funding round; protests as Shein opens in Paris; the W.N.B.A.’s struggle with online hate and its Social Protect tool; and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s shutdown video airing in U.S. airports.

TImestamp:

00:00 - Teaser: Quick rundown 01:04 - Trump’s 100% tariff threat and the market reaction (S&P 500, Nasdaq, semiconductors) 03:00 - What the tariff threat means for supply chains and AI chips 09:15 - Kalshi’s $300M raise at a $5B valuation and the rise of prediction markets 10:27 - The regulatory questions around prediction markets and sports bets 20:03 - Shein opens a Paris boutique, protests, anti-Shein legislation, and fines 29:54 - W.N.B.A.: Record attention, rising harassment, and the Social Protect A.I. tool 39:27 - Kristi Noem’s airport video blaming Democrats during the shutdown, public reaction, and ethics

AI video generators now blur the line between truth and fabrication. What happens when “seeing” no longer equals “believing”? Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns AI can be hacked to kill, Human Rights Watch clashes with comedians over Saudi payouts, Peter Thiel preaches Antichrist paranoia, and the U.S. government quietly buys into mining companies. In today’s episode of Filtered with TJ Walker, we unpack how technology, money, and power are reshaping trust, communication, and democracy

Today on Filtered: Katie Porter’s stormy TV interview goes viral and reshapes the California governor race; an Airbnb guest discovers a hidden camera over the toilet and fights for refunds; gold surges past $4,000 — but how reliable is it as “insurance”? Broadway faces sky-high ticket prices, union pressure, and new threats from AI-driven production costs; and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker calls President Trump “dementia-ridden” amid federal troop deployments. We explain what these stories mean for voters, travelers, investors, and cultural institutions.

Podcast Chapters: 00:00 – Opening Teaser 02:06 – Katie Porter’s Interview Meltdown 35:16 – Hidden Camera Horror: Airbnb 40:29 – Gold at $4,000: Panic & Myths 46:53 – Broadway’s Price & Strike Crisis 55:55 – Pritzker vs. Trump: Troop Deployment 1:02:19 – Outro & Final Thoughts

Today on Filtered with T.J. Walker: From jobseekers embedding hidden prompts to game A.I. résumé screeners, to China’s campaign to purge “defeatist” online content; from Democrats’ health-care messaging amid a shutdown to the record median age for first-time homebuyers, and Pam Bondi’s sharp Senate exchanges. Quick, clear analysis with communication lessons you can use.

Chapters: 00:00:00 Intro & Markets 00:02:27 Outsmarting the bots — AI résumé tricks. 00:15:51 China cracks down on cynicism online. 00:22:36 Democrats’ shutdown message: health care wins? 00:36:42 First-time homebuyer median age: 38. 00:50:45 Pam Bondi: Senate testimony and the theatrics.

Taylor Swift pushes back on a question that assumed marriage = career end. Elon Musk’s xAI launched sexually explicit companions, raising safety and regulatory alarms. Former NFL QB Mark Sanchez now faces a felony after a violent parking dispute. Harvard faculty warn that students are skipping class, glued to their phones, and still collecting A’s. And OpenAI’s massive AMD deal puts it in pole position in the A.I. race, with antitrust questions close behind.

Episode breakdown (approximate): 00:00 Teaser → 00:45 Swift → 03:15 Musk → 06:05 Sanchez → 08:30 Harvard → 11:05 OpenAI → 13:40 Grab Bag → 15:05 Outro.