Best Stephen Hackett Podcasts (2025)

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422: ‘A Monkey on a Rock’, With Stephen Hackett 2:14:46

25d ago2:14:46

2:14:46

Stephen Hackett, proprietor of 512 Pixels and co-founder of Relay (purveyor of many fine podcasts), joins the show. Topics include: IO (or if you will, io), the new joint venture of OpenAI and Jony Ive’s LoveFrom; the sheer fantasy of “Made in America” iPhones; and Fortnite’s return to the US App Store. Sponsored by: WorkOS: The modern identity pla…

1
Ep 207: Mark Dubowitz on the Israel-Iran War and American Intervention 42:35

20h ago42:35

42:35

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the possibility of America’s intervention. ▪️ Times • 01:00 Achievements • 05:00 Retaliation • 09:00 Hard math • 16:00 Intervention • 24:00 Outcomes • 30:00 Ground operations • 32:00 Another Iraq? • 38:00 Resolve and stability • 42:00 “Iraq Syndrome” …

1
Ep 206: Cleo Paskal on China’s Central Pacific Strategy 49:49

4d ago49:49

49:49

Cleo Paskal, non-resident senior fellow at FDD and author of Crossroads of Competition, joins the show to discuss China’s campaign for influence and control at the scene of America’s bloody island-hopping campaign in WW2. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 04:03 Pacific desert • 07:45 Control • 13:48 Post 1945 • 22:43 Significance • 24:31 Yap • 29:43 …

1
424: ‘Live From WWDC 2025’, With Joanna Stern and Nilay Patel 2:06:04

6d ago2:06:04

2:06:04

Recorded in front of a live audience at The California Theatre in San Jose Tuesday evening, special guests Joanna Stern and Nilay Patel join me to discuss Apple’s announcements at WWDC 2025. Video: This show is available to watch in 4K video on YouTube. 3D video with spatial audio: Exclusively in Sandwich Vision's Theater on Vision Pro, available o…

1
Ep 205: Mark Dubowitz on Israel’s Unfolding Campaign in Iran 31:16

8d ago31:16

31:16

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to breakdown last night’s spectacular Israeli strikes against the Iranian Regime and its nuclear program, and what comes next. ▪️ Times • 02:00 Deception • 06:00 Targets • 09:00 The Scientists • 11:00 Complacency • 14:00 Israeli goals • 19:00 Regime change • 23:00 Strikes and talks • 29:00 Drones • 31:00 Co…

1
801: WWDC 2025: A Return to Form 1:42:16

11d ago1:42:16

1:42:16

Apple's 2025 WWDC was jam-packed, from a new design system across its operating systems to updated iPad multitasking, a plethora of updates to apps like Messages and Phone, and new features for CarPlay. David and Stephen break it all down. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or…

1
Ep 204: Annie Jacobsen on Nuclear War 55:26

11d ago55:26

55:26

Annie Jacobsen, journalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, joins the show to discuss nuclear weapons and their use. ▪️ Times • 01:20 Introduction • 02:50 Finding the music • 07:02 Reporting • 09:15 Hidden information • 11:22 The scenario • 13:50 Launch on warning • 17:30 Villians • 20:45 Annihilation • 26:25 The Black Book • 30:40 North Kore…

1
800: Three Weeks Too Late 1:36:14

13d ago1:36:14

1:36:14

On this feedback episode, the guys talk about laminated windows, NAS options, scanning papers, email services, apps that work with Notes, work phones, and a lot more. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Ecamm: Powerful live streami…

1
Ep 203: Stephen Rabe on the Invasion of Normandy 50:38

15d ago50:38

50:38

Stephen Rabe, historian and author of The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village, joins the show to discuss one of the countless, incredible stories from D-Day. ▪️ Times • 01:18 Introduction • 01:25 Marine • 02:50 Origins • 06:48 Normandy • 09:29 507th • 15:20 Training • 18:23 Overlord • 21…

1
Ep 202: Fred Kagan on Ukraine’s Attack and the Future of War 42:48

18d ago42:48

42:48

Fred Kagan, senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss Ukraine’s drone operation targeting Russia’s strategic air assets. ▪️ Times • 01:46 Introduction • 02:25 What just happened? • 07:48 Escalation risk • 10:20 Control • 12:39 Implications • 21:10 Stratagems • 24:04 Effects • 30:40 Economic pre…

1
799: The State of Apple, with Jason Snell 1:27:52

20d ago1:27:52

1:27:52

Subtitle: "What Do We Have on the Spacecraft That's Good?" Jason Snell has been covering Apple since all the Macs it shipped were beige boxes. This week, he joins Stephen and David to discuss the company’s range of legal and technological issues that seem to be adding up rapidly. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10…

1
Ep 201: Zachary Griffiths & McKinsey Harb on the U.S. Army 45:59

22d ago45:59

45:59

Lt. Col. Zachary Griffiths & Maj. McKinsey Harb joined the show to discuss the U.S. Army’s new Field Manual 1, FM 1 -THE ARMY: A PRIMER TO OUR PROFESSION OF ARMS. ▪️ Times • 01:22 Introduction • 01:51 West Point • 05:43 Culture shift • 08:50 FM 1 • 12:00 Ben Salomon • 18:06 Warrior • 24:04 Tensions • 31:05 Recruiting • 35:18 Leader/follower • 42:19…

1
423: ‘Sewing Machine Repair Shop’, With Patrick McGee 1:32:42

22d ago1:32:42

1:32:42

Patrick McGee joins the show to discuss his must-read new book, Apple in China -- one of the best books about Apple anyone has ever written. Sponsored by: Factor: Healthy eating, made easy. Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. Notion: Your notes, docs, and projects in one space. Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a websit…

1
Ep 200: Rick Atkinson on the American Revolution at 250 53:35

25d ago53:35

53:35

Rick Atkinson, historian and author of The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, joins the show to discuss the causes, conduct, and epic consequences of the American Revolution. ▪️ Times • 02:08 Introduction • 02:21 Journalism • 04:30 Mogadishu • 09:30 Lessons • 12:49 Ideology • 16:36 Diplomacy • 20:21 Bos…

1
798: The Email Overwhelm Problem 1:38:27

27d ago1:38:27

1:38:27

Subtitle: 'It Moved Five Million Messages' David has been on a journey with his email setup, and as Stephen offers him a shoulder to cry on, Sparks drops a bombshell. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. TRMNL: Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only. Ecamm: Powerful live streaming pla…

1
Ep 199: Jonathan Hackett on Our Failures in Iraq & Afghanistan 41:00

29d ago41:00

41:00

Jonathan Hackett, former U.S. Marine Corps interrogator and author of Theory of Irregular War, joins the show to discuss America’s post-9/11 wars and how irregular warfare works. ▪️ Times • 01:12 Introduction • 01:30 A good interrogator • 03:26 Afghanistan • 06:15 In the interrogation room • 12:10 The Reid Technique • 14:27 Galula • 17:10 A militar…

1
Ep 198: Robert D. Kaplan on Crisis 38:10

1M ago38:10

38:10

Robert D. Kaplan, Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis, joins the show to discuss the world’s current state of “permanent crisis”. ▪️ Times • 01:40 Introduction • 02:00 Far Rockaway • 04:55 Balkan Ghosts • 08:20 Geography and technology • 10:55 Weimar…

1
797: "A Power User in Life," with Jaimee Finney 1:08:06

1M ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Jaimee Finney joins the guys to discuss her career, which has been full of twists and turns, but has always been defined by making great products infused with creativity and passion. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using c…

1
Ep 197: Mick Ryan on the Ukrainian Battlefield 41:55

1M ago41:55

41:55

Mick Ryan, retired major general in the Australian Army and author of The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire, joins the show to discuss the evolving battlefield and cycles of change and innovation going on in Ukraine. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 02:17 Touring the front • 05:11 No place safe • 07:01 Change • 11:24 Wire guided dr…

1
796: The Alfred Field Guide 1:14:02

1M ago1:14:02

1:14:02

Known as an app launcher and Spotlight replacement, Alfred can supercharge a wide range of tasks across macOS. This week, the guys discuss David's new Field Guide covering Alfred and their use of the application. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud busines…

1
Ep 196: Thomas Bruscino and Mitchell G. Klingenberg on Mapping Warfare 50:46

1M ago50:46

50:46

Thomas Bruscino, professor at the U.S. Army War College, and Mitchell G. Klingenberg, assistant professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, join the show to discuss their article "Making War Upon the Map" The U.S. Army’s Forgotten Map Problem, Meade’s Gettysburg Campaign, and Depicting Operational Art. ▪️ Times • 02:05 Introductio…

1
Ep 195: John Hillen on Strategic Thinking 46:32

2M ago46:32

46:32

John Hillen, James C. Wheat Professor in Leadership at Hampden-Sydney College and author of The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management, joins the show to talk about how to think strategically in war, business, and life. ▪️ Times • 01:55 Introduction • 02:31 An Army start • 05:17 Cold War ends • 10:14 The Gulf • 1…

1
795: Our iPad Usage 1:03:02

2M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

With rumors — and complaints — swirling about the state of the iPad and iPadOS, David and Stephen take some time to talk about their usage of the platform and share where they think Apple should take its tablet next. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.…

1
Ep 194: Mark Moyar on the Vietnam War 54:27

2M ago54:27

54:27

Mark Moyar, William P. Harris Chair of Military History at Hillsdale College and author of Triumph Regained: The Vietnam War, 1965-1968, joins the show to explain the major inflection points of the Vietnam War. ▪️ Times • 01:58 Introduction • 02:47 The “orthodox view” • 05:51 Dominos • 08:41 A Maoist vision • 12:42 1963 • 15:30 Henry Cabot Lodge • …

1
421: ‘The Ratchet of Flippancy’, With Craig Mod 1:53:11

2M ago1:53:11

1:53:11

Craig Mod returns to the show to discuss his splendid new book, Things Become Other Things. Other topics include creating with AI tools (including programming), social media permanence vs. ephemerality, and more. Sponsored by: Dekáf Coffee Roasters: You won’t believe it’s decaf. That’s the point. 30% off with code: DF. Squarespace: Make your next m…

1
Ep 193: Douglas Murray on Israel’s War and its Global Consequences 55:47

2M ago55:47

55:47

Douglas Murray, journalist and author of On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, joins the show for a wide ranging conversation that covers Death Cults, anti-Semitism, and recent shifts in the Right. ▪️ Times • 01:42 Introduction • 03:00 9/11 origins • 09:50 It’s not 1939 • 13:45 Death cults • 19:16 “I’m not a fascist…

1
794: Back to the Mac, with Chris Lawley 1:19:29

2M ago1:19:29

1:19:29

YouTuber and podcaster Chris Lawley joins the show to talk to Stephen and David about how the Mac has replaced the iPad as his primary computer. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses…

1
Ep 192: Raymond Jonas on Europe’s War on the Monroe Doctrine (~165 years ago) 48:20

2M ago48:20

48:20

Raymond Jonas, Jon Bridgman Endowed Professor in History at the University of Washington and author of Habsburgs on the Rio Grande: The Rise and Fall of the Second Mexican Empire, joins the show to discuss a failed-but-spectacular 19th Century attempt by European powers to undermine the Monroe Doctrine. ▪️ Times • 01:42 Introduction • 03:31 Transat…

1
Ep 191: Mark Dubowitz on Iran and the Trump Administration 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and host of The Iran Breakdown podcast, joins the show to discuss the Iranian nuclear program, where things stand with the Trump administration’s pursuit of a deal, and the prospects of an Israeli attack. ▪️ Times • 01:33 Introduction • 02:04 Beginnings • 04:25 A weapon is the purpose …

1
420: ‘The Best Hatched Plan’, With Glenn Fleishman 2:08:24

2M ago2:08:24

2:08:24

Special guest Glenn Fleishman returns to the show for episode 420 on 4/20, but everyone’s sober, I swear. Topics include Trump’s dumb tariffs and Glenn’s smart new edition of his book Six Centuries of Type & Printing. Sponsored by: Squarespace: Make your next move. Use code talkshow for 10% off your first order. Notion: Try the powerful, easy-to-us…

1
793: Accurate, Not Boring 1:24:43

2M ago1:24:43

1:24:43

On this feedback episode, the guys revisit iCloud.com access and Advanced Data Protection, both make confessions about recent setup changes, and answer a bunch of listener questions. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Indeed: Join more than 3.5 millio…

1
Ep 190: Michael Doran on “Restraint” and the Middle East 54:59

2M ago54:59

54:59

Michael Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss “restraintism” as a factor in Trump’s choices in the Middle East. ▪️ Times • 01:46 Introduction • 02:20 What is it? • 05:01 Left, right, center • 06:56 Syria ’07 • 11:47 Iraq Study Group • 17:21 Populist e…

1
792: Where Automation Meets Intention, with Kim Caloca-Madden 1:12:48

2M ago1:12:48

1:12:48

Kim Caloca-Madden joins the show to talk with the guys about her online business supporting other entrepreneurs and companies, and how automation and AI make her more efficient at her tasks. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free.…

1
Ep 189: Andrew Roberts on October 7th and Antisemitism 31:33

2M ago31:33

31:33

Lord Andrew Roberts, the Bonnie and Tom McCloskey Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair of the 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report, joins the show to discuss October 7th revisionism, the potency of antisemitism, and the strange effort to reinterpret World War II. ▪️ Times • 01:56 Introduction • 02:35 Why? • 03:48 N…

1
Ep 188: Jonathan Horn on MacArthur and the Battle for the Philippines 53:18

2M ago53:18

53:18

Jonathan Horn, former White House speechwriter and author of The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the defeats, victories, and legacies of Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the highest-ranking American POW of WWII. ▪️ Times • 01:56 Introduction • 04:36 Arthur Mac…

1
791: Exploring iCloud.com 1:09:17

3M ago1:09:17

1:09:17

iCloud is the glue that holds much of the Apple ecosystem together, syncing data and content between devices. This week, the guys walk through what is possible by using the iCloud website, including data recovery tools, account settings, and more. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. Squarespace…

1
Ep 187: Richard Fontaine on the “Reverse Kissinger” 46:53

3M ago46:53

46:53

Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and co-author of No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy, joins the show to discuss Beijing-Moscow cooperation and the prospects of the U.S. driving a wedge between them. ▪️ Times • 02:05 Introduction • 02:21 Sino-Soviet split • 06:20 Spheres of influenc…

1
790: Wandering Around The Verge, with David Pierce 1:31:19

3M ago1:31:19

1:31:19

David Pierce is Editor-at-Large at The Verge. This week, he talks with Stephen and David about the hardware and software he relies on for work, the overall state of Apple in 2025, and his complicated feelings about his new SodaStream. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. DEVONthink: Get Organize…

1
Ep 186: Walter Russell Mead on Trump, Strategy, and Mercantilism 53:58

3M ago53:58

53:58

Walter Russell Mead, Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, joins the show to talk about the role of economic issues in Trump’s strategic views. ▪️ Times • 01:34 Introduction • 04:09 Mercantilism & physiocracy • 08:50 Silicon Valley • 14:01 Co…

1
789: Back to the Mac, with Matt Gemmell 1:23:36

3M ago1:23:36

1:23:36

Author Matt Gemmell joins Stephen and David to talk about using an iPad as his only computer for eight and a half years and why he recently switched back to the Mac. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. DEVONthink: Get Organize…

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419: ‘Podcasting Technology Cadence’, With MG Siegler 2:28:58

3M ago2:28:58

2:28:58

MG Siegler returns to the show to talk about the drama surrounding Siri and Apple Intelligence. Sponsored by: WorkOS: The modern identity platform for B2B SaaS — free up to 1 million monthly active users. Check out their latest features from Launch Week. BetterHelp: Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp and get on your way to being your best self…

1
Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America 56:53

3M ago56:53

56:53

Lara Burns, retired FBI Special Agent and head of terrorism research at the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University, joins the show to talk about how Islamist groups operate in the United States. ▪️ Watch the interview on YouTube - Ep 185: Lara Burns on the Hamas Threat in America ▪️ Times • 01:32 Introduction • 01:48 Terrorism squ…

1
788: Travel Tech 1:40:06

3M ago1:40:06

1:40:06

All aboard! David and Stephen talk about the tech, bags, and planning that go into their travel. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. NetSuite: The leading integrated cloud business software suite. Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and producti…

1
Ep 184: Alexander Burns on the Dawn of the Modern Battlefield 43:17

3M ago43:17

43:17

Alexander Burns, Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University and author of Infantry in Battle 1733-1783 (From Reason to Revolution), joins the show to talk about how combat evolved in the decades between Marlborough and Napoleon. ▪️ Times • 01:45 Introduction • 02:19 1733 • 06:20 Infantry in battle • 10:54 Achieving results • 14:19 Tact…

1
Ep 183: Tom Cotton on China 36:14

3M ago36:14

36:14

Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas and author of Seven Things You Can't Say About China, joins the show to talk about the CCP’s global designs. ▪️ Times • 01:48 Introduction • 02:30 Paying attention • 05:38 Bipartisan • 08:38 Early days • 13:54 Strategic delays • 16:13 An evil empire • 18:45 “What’s it to us?” • 22:04 Lynchpin • 25:24 Splitting…

1
787: Revisiting Our Mac Menu Bars 1:28:40

3M ago1:28:40

1:28:40

It's been a while, so Stephen and David share what is in their Macs' menu bars, touching on some all-time great macOS apps. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: 1Password: Never forget a password again. Ecamm: Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Get one month free. Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity. Incog…

1
418: ‘Putting a Stink on the Letter X’, With Craig Hockenberry 2:42:03

3M ago2:42:03

2:42:03

Craig Hockenberry returns to the show. Topics include Apple’s new hardware this week — M3 iPad Airs, A16 regular iPads, M4 MacBook Airs, and the M4 Max and surprising M3 Ultra Mac Studios. And we go deep on The Iconfactory’s years-in-the-making new app, Tapestry — a universal timeline for the Internet. Exclusively sponsored by: Google Gemini: Chat …

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Ep 182: Sean McMeekin on Communism 47:58

4M ago47:58

47:58

Sean McMeekin, Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College and author of To Overthrow the World: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Communism, joins the show to talk about Communist approaches to foreign policy and war. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 02:39 Communism and war • 11:02 Giving history a shove • 16:41 Lenin’s vision • 20:55 A u…

1
786: Catching up with John Soliman 1:38:37

4M ago1:38:37

1:38:37

John Soliman returns to the show to detail his journey with Apple silicon, share his work on Pixar's "Win or Lose," and discuss video transcoding. This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU. Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity. Indeed: …

1
Ep 181: Michael Cook on the Islamic Conquests 46:20

4M ago46:20

46:20

Michael Cook, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University and author of A History of the Muslim World: From Its Origins to the Dawn of Modernity, joins the show to discuss the sudden, explosive Arab expansion of the 7th century. ▪️ Times • 01:46 Introduction • 03:05 Sources • 04:42 War and politics • 07:32 Grass and sand • 09:30 Self-…

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