How podcasts swayed the 2024 election

 podcasts

Around 2:45 on the morning of November 6, Donald Trump beckoned Dana White to the lectern to address the sea of MAGA-hatted supporters assembled to celebrate the former president’s election victory.

In his brief but animated remarks at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship made sure to thank a cadre of figures who might just have been the key to Trump’s shocking triumph. “I want to thank the Nelk Boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von, Bussin’ With the Boys,” White said, “and last but not least, the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan!”

You would be forgiven for not knowing who all these people are. No doubt many of the faithful assembled to cheer Trump were perplexed as well. But for many of the young Americans who turned out to vote for the Republican nominee this year in numbers not seen in decades, these figures might be the reason why.

In the wake of Trump’s win, the drastic political realignment that catapulted him to the White House has been much discussed. But he also won thanks in no small part to a vast media realignment in which the traditional press — TV networks and newspapers that have seen their audiences and revenues shrivel over the years — has been supplanted in influence and audience by an alternative media ecosystem made up primarily of guys with microphones and millions of obsessive fans.

25 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home

25 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home

How to make money online

1. Pick up freelance work online

Make money online through websites such

as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry and being a virtual assistant.

2. Test websites and apps

The use of generative artificial intelligence is on the rise. Research from PwC estimates that the North American economy will see a $3.7 trillion impact by 2030, thanks to the AI market.


4. Take surveys for money

You can make money from home by taking online surveys, but don’t expect to earn a lot. Survey sites don’t typically offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash. Some of the more popular survey sites include Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Read our analysis of survey sites to find out which one is best suited for you.


5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links

If you’re a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by joining an affiliate network. Affiliates (that’s you) get paid when someone clicks through from the website to the partner site and buys something there. Some bloggers make a lot of money this way,


6. Sell your wares on Etsy

Have a penchant for woodworking, jewelry-making, embroidery or pottery? Sell your crafts on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, art and knickknacks.

7. Self-publish an e-book

Writing a good book is tough, but the internet makes it easy to bring it to market. If you’re a writer who can churn out pages, you can use Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing to sell your books(s) on the Kindle store.

8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel

Turn your cat videos into cash videos. If your YouTube videos or blog posts draw a big audience, you may be able to make money from advertising. YouTube sets 1,000 subscribers as the benchmark for applying to the YouTube Partner Program if you want to place ads on your channel.

Companies are using Instagram influencers — people with large, dedicated followings on the platform — to rep their products. You can get in on the action by applying for opportunities via a marketing platform like Open Influence or Aspire,


10. Monetize your Twitch channel

11. Sell your photography

12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag

13. Sell unused gift cards

14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb

15. Sell your gently used clothes

16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash

17. Get a babysitting gig

18. Rent out your car

19. Sign up for TaskRabbit

20. Become a private tutor

21. Drive for Uber, Lyft

22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats

23. Find work as a housesitter

24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper

25. Put your drone to work

Still unsure if an opportunity is legit? Look for community forums, like those on Reddit, for unfiltered reviews and complaints. Also, check if the company has a Better Business Bureau profile. The BBB assigns ratings based on reported complaints, business transparency and other factors.

Best 10 Apps to Read Books for Free

 

Best 10 Apps to Read Books for Free



With the rise of digital technology, reading habits have evolved, allowing literature to be more accessible than ever. This transformation empowers readers to explore vast libraries without the need to visit a physical bookstore or library.

Several free apps now offer the convenience of reading books, supporting various ebook formats and catering to different preferences and devices. These apps bridge the gap between traditional reading and modern technology, making it possible for users to carry entire libraries in their pockets.


1) Libby

Libby is a free app by OverDrive that allows users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from public libraries. With Libby, access to digital resources becomes straightforward and convenient. The app provides access to the local library's digital collection, offering a wide range of e-books and audiobooks for free.

Local libraries worldwide offer millions of digital titles through Libby. Users need a library card to start borrowing these books for free.

The app’s design ensures simplicity for all users, regardless of tech skill level. Its interface is user-friendly, making browsing and borrowing seamless.

Libby also offers features for enhancing the reading experience. These include adjustable text size, audiobook speed controls, and offline reading or listening.

Users appreciate Libby for its vast catalog, which ranges from classic literature to current best-sellers. This makes it a versatile tool for diverse reading preferences.

Libby can be downloaded from major app stores, including Amazon Appstore and Google Play. This widespread availability ensures that users can access it on various devices.

The app enjoys positive reviews, reflecting its reliability and ease of use. Many library patrons worldwide use Libby regularly to access their favorite ebooks and audiobooks.


2) Wattpad

Wattpad is a popular platform that allows users to read and write stories for free. It offers millions of stories, novels, books, fanfiction, and poetry. These are available in over 25 languages, catering to a diverse global audience.

The app is user-friendly, enabling writers to publish their own stories and join Wattpad's robust community of readers and writers. Users can easily interact with stories through inline commenting, making the reading experience more engaging.

Wattpad also provides real-time notifications, so readers never miss updates on their favorite stories. This dynamic interaction between writers and readers fosters a unique storytelling environment.

Benjamin Sobieck, a Wattpad Star, and other contributors have significantly impacted the platform with their stories. Sobieck's "When the Black-Eyed Children Knock" has garnered over 1.5 million reads, showcasing the app’s ability to reach a vast audience. Wattpad's community aspect and diverse content make it an exceptional choice for free reading.


3) Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg offers over 70,000 free eBooks, focusing on older works where U.S. copyright has expired. This vast digital library is accessible via various apps available for both Android and iOS devices. Users can download eBooks in formats such as epub and Kindle, or read them online directly. The platform supports various ebook formats, allowing users to access and organize their digital libraries while enjoying customizable reading experiences across multiple platforms.

Additionally, Project Gutenberg provides useful tips for optimizing the experience on different devices. For instance, users with iPads can save books directly to the Files app for easy access. The platform also supports RSS feeds, allowing users to get updates on new and updated books effortlessly.

For Android users, the Project Gutenberg app on Google Play is a valuable tool. This app opens the door to a world of literary classics and modern masterpieces. Each book is meticulously digitized and proofread by thousands of volunteers, ensuring a quality reading experience.

Readers using the Kindle can benefit from Project Gutenberg’s compatible KF8 format. The sheer variety and accessibility offered by Project Gutenberg make it an excellent resource for anyone looking to read books for free. Its vast collection and comprehensive app support make it a standout choice for digital book lovers.


4) OverDrive

OverDrive stands out as a versatile app for accessing a vast collection of ebooks and audiobooks. It is widely used in libraries and schools, offering users a chance to enjoy their favorite books for free. With just a library card, readers can borrow titles from their local library’s digital collection.

The app provides a user-friendly experience, making it easy for users of all ages to navigate. Borrowing and returning digital books is simple, and there are no late fees because the titles automatically expire.

OverDrive offers a variety of genres, from best-sellers to classics. Users can also access magazines, making it a comprehensive tool for digital reading. For those who prefer listening, the audiobook selection is extensive and caters to diverse interests.

Whether for educational purposes or leisure reading, OverDrive proves to be an invaluable resource. It supports multiple devices, so users can read or listen on the go, whether through mobile devices or desktop computers.



How podcasts swayed the 2024 election

  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Around 2:45 on the morning of November 6, Donald Trump beckoned Dana White to the lectern to ad...