Direct questions, real answers. On with Kara Swisher is where “Silicon Valley’s most feared and well-liked journalist” gets to the heart of what makes powerful people tick. Kara makes sense of tech, business and politics through tough conversations with the newsmakers who matter. So why do they show up? “Smart people,” says Kara, “like difficult questions.” Plus, it’s fun. Every Monday and Thursday. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Kara and Nayeema kick off this Thursday’s episode with a feisty discussion about Elon Musk’s Twitter and how he’s “kicking the most active users in the teeth.” They give us the run-down inside Elon’s band of merry advisors and Nayeema gets to the heart of why exactly Kara is so angry with Elon … and so sad. Today’s interview is with John Legend the Emmy Grammy Oscar and Tony-winning artist (aka EGOT) who famously moonlights as a social justice activist. But before he was John Legend he was John Roger Stephens: born to a socially conservative family sent to an Ivy League university at age 16 and dabbling as a nerdy strategy consultant before his big break. In fact the first person to credit him as “John Legend” was Kanye West. In this conversation Kara and John speak about Kanye’s descent into antisemitism and how he makes sense of a friend he’s long last touch with. They also discuss how TikTok has changed the music business and why John is so hyper-focused on politics and down-ballot midterm races (no the artist has no plans to run for political office – he’s just downright worried about the country). Trigger warning: Kara does not hold back on her anger about Twitter and Elon these days especially at the very end – so make sure you stay tuned for her final choice words ... or as she calls it her “rant!”  Disclosure: John Legend is on the board of directors at Vox Media. This did not change the nature of  our interview. In fact Kara started with what were probably the hardest questions for him. You can find Kara and Nayeema on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kara on Elon and John Legend on Kanye (and More!)

On with Kara Swisher