In this special Black History Month episode of Curious & Inspired, we explore the painful but familiar cycle of stolen ideas — and what it means to be a Black creator in the age of algorithms and AI. From Chuck Berry to Dapper Dan, to viral posts repackaged by louder platforms, host Matt Vandrick shares a powerful monologue on why to be great is to be stolen from — and how to turn that frustration into fuel.

Featuring stories on ChatBlackGPT, the Spill app, and Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy domination, this episode connects history, culture, and technology in a way only Curious & Inspired can.

✊ Stay curious. Stay inspired.

In a world where you can generate a partner, clone a voice, and simulate intimacy on demand… why are so many people lonelier than ever?

This Valentine’s episode, “AI Relationships, Digital Clones & the Loneliness Economy,” dives into the fast-rising culture of AI girlfriends, chatbot companions, and algorithmic intimacy.

As technology makes connection more convenient, customizable, and frictionless, more people are quietly outsourcing emotional needs to machines. The result? Instant attention, zero conflict… and a deeper kind of isolation.

Our host, Matt Vandrick, breaks down the psychology behind why AI relationships feel easier than real ones — and why that ease might be costing us presence, depth, and true human connection.

From digital clones to parasocial bonds to the business of engineered loneliness, this episode explores how the internet is monetizing our desire to be seen, heard, and loved.

But this isn’t an anti-tech rant. It’s a call back to reality.

A reminder that real connection requires friction.
Presence requires effort.
Depth requires vulnerability.

If we’re not careful, we’ll build perfect digital partners while becoming more absent in our real lives.

This conversation urges listeners to log off emotionally, show up physically, and choose depth over reach. To stop performing connection and start practicing it.

And most importantly — to be honest with yourself first about what you’re using technology to avoid.

Because in the loneliness economy, attention is easy.
But presence is rare.

#aigirlfriends #loneliness #valentinesday #airelationships #newpodcast #aichatbots #relationshipadvice

In this episode of Curious & Inspired, we discuss stories involving Disney and their customers, iShowSpeed's athletic prowess, Bitchat - a new messaging app, Tik Tok's changeover, Wikipedia's interesting relationship with big tech companies, the cost of data centers and why that matters.

This episode covers:
Disney's awkward call and response to their viewers.

iShowSpeed's impressive athleticism and what it could mean for those destined for professional sports.

Matthew McConaughey protecting his image and likeness from AI.

TikTok and its ownership changing hands. What does this mean for users in America?

Bitchat and the rise of new communication platforms. Could there be a new secure app that works even when the internet is down?

Wikimedia has an interesting relationship with big tech companies who are their new customers and how that may rub some of its Wikipedia users the wrong way.

The true cost of building data centers in the U.S. and why that matters to us.

Curious & Inspired asks better questions about the future—exploring how technology shapes culture, power, creativity, and society in real time.

🎙️ Hosted by Matt Vandrick
📅 New episodes bi-weekly | Thursdays at 8PM

👉 Subscribe for conversations that go beyond the headlines
💬 Join the discussion in the comments. What story stood out to you?

Subscribe to Curious & Inspired on Youtube.

#CuriousAndInspired #TechPodcast #AINews #CreatorEconomy #DigitalCulture #TikTokNews #FutureOfTech #DataCenters #SocialMedia #tiktok #bytedance #wikimedia #wikipedia #ishowspeed #matthewmcconaughey