Podcast

Stupid Sexy Privacy

News, Politics, Tech News

Stupid Sexy Privacy is a miniseries about how to protect yourself from fascists and weirdos. Your host is comedian Rosie Tran, and the show is written by information privacy expert B.J. Mendelson. Every episode is sponsored by our friends at DuckDuckGo. Tune in every Thursday night —or Friday morning if you're nasty — at 12 am EST to catch the next episode.

Episodes
65
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
29 min
On air since
2025
Latest episode
1 day ago

Episodes

65 episodes, from the first

Season 1

  1. Episode 1: Buy a Fancy Privacy Notebook or the Fascists Win

    Episode 1

    Show notes

    This week, comedian Rosie Tran tries to convince you to buy a physical privacy notebook, and write your password manager’s master password inside its cover. In our show notes, found over at StupidSexyPrivacy.com, privacy expert, BJ Mendelson, walk through your choices of BitWarden, 1Password, and the offline option KeePassXC for password managers. And if you stick around at the end of this episode, you can hear an excerpt from BJ Mendelson’s first book on privacy, as read by Broadway actor, Roger Wayne.

    16 min
  2. Episode 2: Your Privacy Notebook Isn't Just For Sharing Your Deepest, Darkest Secrets

    Episode 2

    Show notes

    This week, comedian Rosie Tran tells you what goes inside your privacy notebook. It's not just for sharing your deepest, darkest secrets. Although you can totally use it for that, too. Privacy expert, BJ Mendelson, then interviews the founder and CEO of Block Party, Tracy Chou. If you're going to continue to use any social media platform, you're going to want to make sure you're also using Block Party. BJ and Tracy explain why. Get the full show notes and additional details at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    28 min
  3. Your Smart TV May Be The Biggest Snitch In Your Home

    Episode 3

    Show notes

    This week, Comedian Rosie Tran explains how your TV has been watching you watch ... Well, everything. And it's not keeping those embarrassing secrets to itself! Find out who your SmartTV is snitching on you with, and we'll also tell you what the best stickers are for covering up your cameras. Author and Podcast Producer BJ Mendelson also returns with part two of his interview with Block Party CEO and Founder, Tracy Chou. Get the show notes and more information at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    28 min
  4. Now Every Car Is Creepy, Not Just Your Windowless Van

    Episode 4

    Show notes

    This week, comedian Rosie Tran tells you how there's a stalker in your driveway, and it's not a human. She also explains why you want to pick up a Microphone Blocker. Then, we have not one but two book excerpts from BJ Mendelson's first book on Privacy, "Privacy: And How We Get It Back" to share with you. Come get your show notes, and learn more about how creepy your car is, at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    26 min
  5. Creeps, Weirdos, and How To Protect Yourself From Both After a Breakup

    Episode 5

    Show notes

    It's no secret that the police and legal system often fail to protect women from creeps and weirdos. So, this week on the show, Comedian Rosie Train provides tips on how to better protect yourself from those creeps, including using a hidden camera detector. You can get additional tips, and learn more over at StupidSexyPrivacy.com

    33 min
  6. It's Dangerous to Go Alone! Take these Apps With You

    Episode 6

    Show notes

    We get asked a lot about "Minimum Viable Privacy." What's the least you need to do to in order to get the MOST protection? So, this week on the show, Comedian Rosie Train provides the MUST HAVE apps. You can get additional tips, and learn more over at StupidSexyPrivacy.com

    35 min
  7. Violence Doesn't Defeat Fascists, But Doing This Sure Does

    Episode 7

    Show notes

    This week, we're joined by advertising industry legend, Bob Hoffman, and comedian Rosie Tran shares the one thing that consistently defeats fascist movements. No, it's not that. ... Nope. Not that either. Want to learn more? Visit StupidSexyPrivacy.com

    28 min
  8. Son, That Internet Won't Pay For Itself

    Episode 8

    Show notes

    If you want a free and open web — Don't we all — We need advertising. But that advertising, and the technology that powers it, doesn't have to be evil. Our guest from last week, advertising legend Bob Hoffman, returns to finish his conversation with BJ Mendelson. Meanwhile, our host Rosie Tran provides more storytelling tips. Because without new, better stories, we're not going to change anything. Make sure you visit us at StupidSexyPrivacy.com to learn more.

    25 min
  9. Going to a protest? Be funny, not just paranoid

    Episode 9

    Show notes

    The best way to overthrow fascists and weirdos? Make them look dumb. We'll explain how to work out your creativity muscle to help you do just that. Also joining us this week is Thorin Klosowski, privacy activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Show notes, full transcripts and more can be found at: https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    34 min
  10. I'll Get You My Pretty, and Your Little VPN Too!

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    Pi-Hole! It's not just something that sounds like a sex move. It's a way to block out those annoying ads on your SmartTV. That's right, we're talking SmartTV's again in this week's episode, and Lia Holland from Fight for the Future joins us to talk about defending VPNs. The next front in the fight against fascists and weirdos. Visit us at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com to learn more.

    44 min
  11. You Can Find Love (and Privacy) in a Subaru

    Episode 11

    Show notes

    Lauren Hendry Parsons, from the Mozilla Foundation, explains how cars have become data‑hungry surveillance devices that undermine user control. Our host, Rosie Tran offers some solutions to this problem, but you gotta remember, your car is a computer. And it's a computer that's less secure than a Waffle House. Learn more at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    46 min
  12. Going Through Customs? This Is a Must Listen

    Episode 12

    Show notes

    This week: Henry David Thoreau joins us from beyond the grave, and Rosie has advice for those traveling internationally this month and next. Plus: why every American should carry their passport at all times — this week on "Stupid Sexy Privacy."

    1 hr 6 min
  13. Crypto Is a Scam. Use Cash. Film ICE.

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    This week, the ACLU's Rebecca Williams joins BJ Mendelson to talk about the do's and don'ts of filming ICE, using cash whenever possible, and why crypto currency is a scam. You're not going to want to miss it. Show notes and more can be found at https://www.StupidSexyPrivacy.com

    43 min
  14. Are Baby Boomers Really to Blame For The Disinformation Plague?

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    In this special Thanksgiving episode of Stupid Sexy Privacy, BJ Mendelson speaks with members of Clemson University's Human and Technology Lab about baby boomers spreading disinformation, how children interact with artificial intelligence, and what the right level of privacy is for all of us. Learn more at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    1 hr 1 min
  15. Are You Caught in Facebook's Web of Scam Advertisements?

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    Ho Ho Holiday Scams. This week on the show, Rosie tells you how to keep scammers and thieves from ripping you off this holiday season. Meanwhile, Broadway Actor Roger Wayne returns to read excerpts from BJ's first book on Privacy, called "Privacy: And How We Get It Back."

    25 min
  16. Artificial General Intelligence Doesn't Exist, But Here's How to Hide From AI

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    "How to Disappear" author, and Black Mail Expert, Frank M. Ahearn returns to the show this week. Frank explains to BJ how one could use extreme privacy mentions to evade the fascists and weirdos looking for you with AI. Not the smart kind of AI, that doesn't exist and probably won't in our lifetime. But the dumb currently available kind that can sift through mountains of data. Rosie also shares tips on what a Stranger Danger Phone is and why you should get one of your own. Learn more at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    40 min
  17. Your Phone Is a Drug. So What Are You Doing About It?

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    This week, Kelly Carlin joins the show to talk about how smartphones hijack attention, cause "digital brain fog," and displace real human connection. Kelly, and our host Rosie Tran, share some recommendations on what to do about it. Nobody should control how your mind functions. Not even that weird caterpillar from the Shazam movie. Learn more at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    39 min
  18. All We Want For Christmas Is The Second Bill of Rights

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    It's our (a day late) Christmas episode! In this episode, BJ speaks with author Victoria Hetherington about the bonds between humans and artificial intelligence. Our host, Rosie, explains what the Second Bill of Rights is and why it could mean a universal basic income for you. Visit https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com for more.

    35 min
  19. Here's Where to Go to Get Trustworthy, Noncorporate News

    Episode 19

    Show notes

    Author Victoria Hetherington returns for part two of our conversation about artificial intelligence and the illusion of relationships with it. Meanwhile, our host Rosie Tran shares nine news podcasts that provide the best noncorporate news to help keep you informed about what's happening in our world. More details, as always, can be found at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com.

    34 min
  20. What Does a Functional Federal Trade Commission Look Like?

    Episode 20

    Show notes

    This week, investigative journalist and co-producer of Stupid Sexy Privacy, interviews Samuel Levine. Mr. Levine served as Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, and was just appointed to run New York City's Consumer Protection Agency. BJ asks Mr. Levine what a functional Federal Trade Commission is supposed to do, compared to what we have right now. You're not going to want to miss this. Learn more at https://www.stupidsexyprivacy.com

    37 min