The Cave Project

In this episode of The Cave Project, Jenny and Greg Swan dig into the privilege of opting out of screens, social media, and AI, and why “just put your phone down” is not the moral flex people think it is. From working parents using tablets as survival tools to social media becoming job infrastructure, community infrastructure, and sometimes emotional regulation infrastructure, they argue for more nuance and a lot less shame.They also get into loud iPads in public, adults on speakerphone in airports, the class dynamics of not needing to be online, and why refusing AI is not always an option when your job, income, or creative life now depends on it. Plus, Greg vibe codes a game to help Berdie go to space, The Cave Project launches CaveProject.co, and everyone is invited to your mom’s house. Spiritually, probably.Find more on this episode and our back-catalog at our website: https://www.caveproject.co

South by Southwest 2025 just wrapped, and this year wasn’t just about what’s next in tech—it was about how much of it we’re actually okay with. AI chatbots are getting really personal. Deepfake fraud is up 2137%. Social media is broken (again). And even the people building the future are freaking out.In this episode, Jenny and Greg Swan unpack:🤖 AI’s existential crisis—Is it a tool for human flourishing or the beginning of the end?📱 Social media’s identity crisis—BlueSky, the Fediverse, and why no one trusts anything anymore.🎭 Deepfake scams are here—Why you need a family password, like, yesterday.😰 Tech anxiety is real—Even the nerds at SXSW are feeling it.The big question: If we expect the future to be a disaster, do we make it one? Or can we actually shape what’s next?🔥 Follow & Subscribe for More Tech, Culture & Chaos:📬 Subscribe on Substack📺 Watch on YouTube📸 Follow on InstagramThe future isn’t neutral. Let’s figure it out together. 🚀

This episode, we’re tackling three big themes—tech, gifts, and the state of our brains in 2024. Buckle up (or turn on adaptive cruise control)! 🚙 Buy a Car via Text in 2020 vs. Buying a Car with AI in 2025 Remember when buying a car via text felt revolutionary? Fast forward to now: AI tools like ChatGPT are helping us decode trim levels, compare window stickers, and even predict insurance costs. The process might be smarter, but somehow we’re still waiting hours at the dealership. Progress? Kind of. 🎁 Holiday Gift Guides: More Joy, Less Junk From robot chargers to smart hair tools, our holiday gift guide is packed with fun, tech-forward ideas for everyone on your list. Whether you’re spoiling someone or treating yourself, we’ve got recs to make your holidays feel a little more Jetsons, a little less Flintstones. LINK IS HERE. 🧠 Brain Rot: The Word of the Year That Hits Close to Home Naming “brain rot” as the Word of the Year is a perfect mix of self-awareness and cultural critique. Whether it’s doomscrolling or meme overload, we’re all guilty of it—but maybe that’s okay? Jenny and Greg unpack why some “brain rot” might actually be necessary for mental health. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠@the.cave.project⁠⁠), and sign up for updates at ⁠⁠thecaveproject.substack.com⁠⁠.

From TikTok bans to school cell phone policies, Jenny and Greg Swan break down the chaos and contradictions of raising kids in a tech-driven world—minus the overwrought reactions. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com.

Social media can both connect us and also push us apart. In this live recording of The Cave Project podcast, hosts Jenny and Greg Swan discuss the social media dilemma, its impact on our daily lives, and how we can reclaim our digital spaces with a human-centric approach. Special thanks to Social Media Breakfast for hosting and Skelly Video Productions for capturing audio and photos. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com

As the first generation to be fully born into the 21st century, Generation Alpha is the most technologically integrated group of humans ever — growing up in a world of advanced digital technology, social media, and artificial intelligence. And they are already getting a bad rap about their digital and social media habits. Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a conversation about who Gen A is, what makes them unique, and some ways we can all make room for them in our crowded digital lifestyle. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes, follow us on Instagram (@the.cave.project), and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com

Social media marketers can be a paradox. Evangelizing the marketing power of social media during the day and then decrying its negative effects at night. Or even further, restricting their own kids from social media when it’s paying the bills at home. Join Jenny and Greg Swan for a conversation about the social dilemma, how Greg changed his mind about social for kids after having kids, and the need for social media marketers to “walk the talk” when it comes to changing the future of social for the better. Be sure to subscribe for future episodes and sign up for updates at thecaveproject.substack.com