
I Came Across These 32 Random Products That Are *So Cool* I Just Have To Share Them With You
You may have seen these on TikTok!EZ Bombs is a small biz that specializes in different cooking bombs like pozole, tinga, and of course, birria!Okay, so to use these grab a chuck roast (up to four pounds), cut it into chunks, add four cups of water (some reviewers use broth instead), and toss one of these babies in. Let it cook (cook time will depend on how you cook it), and then add it to your tacos, quesadillas, burritos, ramen, nachos, taquitos, whatever you want! The bombs blend 13 different spices and chiles like arbol, guajillo, and ancho. Here are the cooking times for different ways of cooking — pressure cooker: an hour and 45 minutes, slow cooker: six hours on high or eight hours on low, stovetop: three hours on low heat *or* until fork tender. Promising review: "This seasoning has been a game-changer for my quesabirrias. I used it with chuck roast, and the results were incredible — full of bold, authentic flavor. It's incredibly simple to use, and the seasoning blend does all the heavy lifting. Definitely worth keeping stocked for quick, flavorful meals." —Ruby VizuetGet a pack of two from Amazon for $19.99.
A collection of Avengers comics because Endgame came out in theaters in 2019, and you've been *dying* for some more Avengers movies. Dive into the OG Marvel stories with this awesome book as you impatiently wait for Doomsday to be released.
Promising review: "Obviously awesome. This takes me back to my youth without having to rummage through my old comics." —Ryan AGet it from Amazon for $17.30+ (available in a paperback or hardcover version).
A portable car jump starter with a flashlight so you can jump your car by your darn self. Perfect to have in case of any sort of emergency cuz it also has USB ports that'll charge your phone 50% faster than other chargers. Honestly, a must-have. All you gotta know is where the red clamp goes and where the black one goes (don't ask me, I'm literally just a girl, I'd have to TikTok it or call my dad).
The flashlight also has different lighting patterns if you're alone somewhere and need someone to find you. It can jump-start all 12V common vehicles with up to 8.0L gas and 7.0L diesel engines. It can also charge more than just your phone — cameras, earbuds, watches, whatever you can connect with a USB cuz it's a power bank. It can also jump-start motorcycles, lawnmowers, trucks, passenger cars, and boats. Promising reviews: "I never bother reviewing things, but this is amazing. Bought it two months ago and thought it would be good to keep in the car. I saw someone with a dead battery in a parking lot last Friday, so I said, 'Do you want to try this? I've never used it.' Started their car immediately. I drove out of state later that night. The following morning, my car wouldn't start. What are the odds? I used this, got my car started immediately, headed to Auto Zone, and found out I had a dead battery. It saved me a lot of money because I probably would have called a tow truck and had it dropped off at a shop if I didn't have this with me. It's also cool to charge your phone or whatever with a USB. Highly recommend this." —Kevin beck"I pulled into a fast food for lunch. After lunch, my vehicle wouldn't start, so I called AAA for a tow. Upon arrival, the driver went through his procedures, including a battery test. He was using this device. I purchased one for myself, one for my son, then one for my grandson." —William H. DavisGet it from Amazon for $44.98.
A 14-pack of menstrual discs that'll have you ready to toss the tampons. These babies hold the capacity of five regular-sized tampons worth of fluid, they're perfect for heavy and light periods, they're comfortable, and they help prevent odor, irritation, and dryness. You can also wear 'em overnight, during exercise, swimming, and even sex without any leaks! Reviewers are lovin 'em.
Oh! Anddd, you can wear it for up to 12 HOURS!!Promising review: "So my period ended yesterday, and I only used these Softdiscs the whole time. This was my first time trying anything besides tampons and pads. I love them; they are much better than tampons and didn't leak once. I always leak on day one or two with tampons. The removal is a little messy, so do it over a toilet or in the shower, but the more you do it, the easier it gets, and you'll figure out how to make it less messy. I also had sex with it; I know that's the question for most. My husband said it felt weird, but he still had no issues finishing. No leaks during sex because it's suctioned onto the cervix area. These are a must-buy. I'll never go back to tampons." —Tiffany"Comfortable, discrete, stays in place, and easy to remove. Much gentler and easier to use than any other cup I've used before. I can keep it in for a full 12-hour shift as a nurse and not leak. Have also used when intimate, and mess-free!" —Joel Ter WeeGet a 14-pack from Amazon for $13.94.
A pair of Paris Hilton nonslip silicone oven mitts because it just makes sense. I mean, oven mitts that say "that's hot," the *iconic* Y2K Paris Hilton phrase?! AND THEY'RE PINK?!? Perfection.
They can withstand heat up to 475 degrees!Promising review: "I wasn't expecting much of these beyond a cute color and print, but they're incredible quality. Very heat resistant, great grippy design, and the inside is soooo soft! Now THAT'S HOT!" —KGet them from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two styles).
A pet dryer box for cats up to 20 pounds and dogs up to 15 pounds. It has hundreds of ventilation holes and built-in safety temperature control to prevent your fur babe from over heating. It also has a lil' window so you can stick your hand in and give your pet some comforting rubs if they're freaking out in there. Plus it's quiet and will dry your little furry one super fast.
Promising review: "We had done extensive research before deciding on this product for our new puppy. This is really a great investment. The puppy remained calm throughout and was thoroughly dried from head to tail. The side access panel is such a good feature to reassure your pet if needed. It's also a good way for us to check on the dryness of the fur without having to open the main door. This is a must have for pet owners! The only thing I will add is that since our puppy is super small, it works really well. I think the size can be a limitation for bigger pets." —CattGet it from Amazon for $398.99.
How to Be More Shrek: An Ogre's Guide to Life because the fifth movie in the franchise drops in December of 2026 so we've got until then to brush up on our swamp etiquette. I mean, there's seriously some quality advice in there — "I'm an ogre. And I'm not going to apologize for acting like one." Period! Words to live by honestly. That and "what are you doing in my swamp?!"
A lil' dumpling light here to make your nights cozier and days brighter with an ambient glow and his cutie litto face. And he's squishy! Don't you just wanna snuggle him?!
Unfortunately, the little bamboo steamer is not included, but it's cool, this cutie doesn't need one to be absolutely adorable. He automatically shuts off after an hour.Promising review: "I love this thing so much. It's a lot bigger than I honestly expected! Perfect lil' night-light to take around when I can't be bothered to hit a light switch, and it isn't so bright that it's hard to look at. I'm tempted to create a little collection." —Sophie S.Get it from Smoko for $20.
A foldable exercise bike because you'd *love* a Peloton, but where the heck is it gonna go in your small apartment? It supports up to 300 pounds and you can pair it to the app for trainer-led workouts and vitrual scenic tours, and to track your progress. And then after you've crushed your workout, fold it up and shove it int the closet!
Promising review: "I love it! I get my workout in while watching my TV shows. One episode and I have cycled for 16 miles!! I love that I can change the resistance levels. For a stationary bike, this one has some really great extra features. I can tone my legs and arms at the same time. The seat is comfortable for the most part, but when sitting on anything for too long you tend to feel the pressure in your muscles (glutes to be exact). The back plate helps some, but not when you lean forward and hold the handle bars. It's pretty accurate on the readings for my BPM's. I use a smartwatch and they are pretty close in readings. I do hear squeaking now since I set it up and have ridden for over 100 miles total. I know I need to possibly tighten the screws on the front to alleviate most of the noise. It's easy to store away, but it is also a little heavy to lift if you don't lift much. Great bike for the price. I'm totally happy with my purchase. I would definitely refer this bike to my friends and family. I already suggested it to my co-workers, so that we can start a cycle class together." —MsAngieGet it from Amazon for $177.49+ (available in three colors/styles).
A set of mini cheese boards so you can continue to remind all of your guests that you are indeed the host with the most. Everyone can have their very own little charcuterie spread, so fancy!
A Miffy sofa phone stand that'll be perfect on your desk or vanity. If you like to follow along with TikTok makeup tutorials, this'll be a super cutesy way to prop up your phone so you can watch and do your makeup at the same time.
You'll be sent a random color and size.Get it from Urban Outfitters for $20.
A personalized zodiac candle with a detailed personality description for your birthdate. It'll tell you your ruling planet and element, gemstones, and totem so this is def a candle jar you'll wanna keep forever.
Promising review: "I was curious about my astrological information and I love scented candles, so I bought one for myself. Now that I know it's really good quality, smells great and comes in a pretty box, I'll buy some for gifts :).The reading on the back was accurate! Now I'm excited to learn more about my 'stones' and use my daily affirmation. Love it!" —A.S.Get it from Amazon for $39 (available in 365 birthdates).
A Disney princess color-by-number coloring book that'll literally take over your life. Start thinking of excuses as to why you can't go out now, cuz this'll make you wanna be home with snacks and wine coloring every night.
I have three of these coloring books (this one is on my wishlist), and I'm obsessed with themmmm. I kept seeing them on TikTok and had to have them. Pro tip: grab some paint pens (these are the ones I bought). They make all the difference, and that's how the coloring pages end up looking so good. If you love coloring as a little *me time relaxation* you should totes treat yourself. I have no regrets and plan to buy basically every single one of these coloring books. But for now, I'm loving the three I have (check 'em out — 1 and 2).Promising review: "I was nervous about this book, but it was the best coloring book I've ever owned. There are little lines that look like someone drew them in, but they come pre-filled in because the area is so tiny. The book's quality is amazing, super thick, very well-made. I use acrylic paint markers and they don't bleed through the paper and make the photos really pop! Overall, will be buying more books!" —SamGet it from Amazon for $34.69.
A unicorn-head squirrel feeder so you can do good by the animals and give the little critters some snacks *and* get a good laugh out of it. Win-win situation, really.
A little tabletop flip-through Instax pic frame so you can display all the cute polaroid pictures you take. I mean, you take all those fun handheld pics just to shove 'em in a drawer? I think not. It holds up to 28 photos so you can flip through memories and feel all nostalgic.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $20.
A copy of Murdle, Volume 1 that'll have you spending your days feeling like Olivia Benson. If you feel like you were a detective in your past life, now's your time to shine and solve these murder mystery-themed logic puzzles. Cue the Law & Order: SVU *dun-dun* sound.
An Oclean electric toothbrush with an interactive touchscreen that gives 👏 you 👏 feedback 👏 on what areas you missed by displaying a set of teeth on the little screen. If the area is red, you gotta brush a bit more. And if you download the app, you'll get a personalized brushing plan and report. This baby is definitely top tier.
It comes with a charger and wall mount and is compatible with Apple Health!I just got this, and I'm obsessed. First and foremost, it's stunning and sleek and looks much better than my other electric toothbrush. I don't plan to throw my old toothbrush away yet, but that's only because I have a couple of toothbrush heads left, and I'm frugal, so I'm gonna use 'em up. But as soon as I'm out of the toothbrush heads, my Oral-B one goes in the garbage. My mouth has never felt cleaner, and the vibration is super gentle. Use this and then use their water flosser, and I swear you'll feel like you just left a dentist cleaning. I haven't had the chance to download the app and all that jazz yet simply because I'm a busy gworl but as soon as I get a day where I'm less busy I will. This ensures you're cleaning every itty bitty part of your teeth. I am loving it so far.Promising review: "The toothbrush handle features a color touch screen that allows you to choose between Morning Gentle and Night Clean, as well as the ability to set custom modes using the Oclean Care App. What's even more interesting is the reward system that encourages users to develop good brushing habits. Achieve 360-degree visual cleaning without any blind spots, unlike ordinary electric toothbrushes that cannot sense missed areas and can create dead spots over time. The toothbrush comes with a blind zone reminder that alerts you when you score below 80 points, prompting you to make up for the missed areas. Ordinary electric toothbrushes do not have this feature, which can lead to bacteria build-up in the long run. The toothbrush provides an in-app brushing report, making brushing data clearly visible." —LittledeeGet it from Oclean for $99.99 (available in four colors).
A nostalgic DoodleBob pen holder so that you aren't searching for a writing utensil at your desk when it's time to take notes. You'll be saying "Meyohimeyoi!" all day. *Giggles like SpongeBob*.
A car visor extender for us shorties because pulling the car visor down alone DOESN'T DO A DARN THING TO BLOCK THE SUN. IDK about you, but I've considered a booster seat a few times. Well, I guess, no need for that with this little heaven sent baby available, huh?
Promising review: "Driving to and from work has been a pain lately, even with sunglasses on. Being short, my regular car visor was not shielding the low sun. This shield cuts the glaring rays without inhibiting my vision. Perfect." —KimGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
A hair identifier spray that'll make dermaplaning a whole lot easier. You may also be mortified that you have so much peach fuzz you never knew was there, but at least you'll no longer *over* shave or miss a spot. Plus, it'll help keep your skin moisturized and protected while you shave.
A "Grievance Journal" — aka a "burn book for the discerning misanthrope" with 52 prompts for venting and 52 ~dark humor-kinda~ jokes sprinkled throughout. If you're all *to hell with toxic positivity, today pissed me off* you've come to the right place, my friend. If watching Inside Out has taught us anything, it's to allow ourselves to feel our emotions, including anger. Grab this and let it all out.
Some "Coochy" shaving cream that'll condition and moisturize your skin, and help you get a super smooth shave. It's gentle on sensitive skin, can help prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs, and it smells like cake!
Promising review: "This stuff is like pure magic!!!! And for $26, I feel like this bottle is massive. Plus, when you use it to shave literally anywhere a little goes a very long way, so this bottle will definitely be lasting me a long time! The scent is immaculate — smells so good I could eat it! It's also super moisturizing and I've noticed since using it that I've had a lot less razor bumps on my inner thighs! I use it to shave everywhere, not just the 'coochie!'' —Summer RogersGet it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four sizes).
A stink-blocking balm for anyone who's sensitive to funky smells. If you gag at everyday, unavoidable smells like diapers and taking out garbage, you'll fall in love with this quicker than Ariel fell in love with Prince Eric.
It's made by a woman-owned small biz established by Jennifer, an RN who made the product for healthcare professionals like herself who desperately needed it.Rub the balm under the nose and outside the nostrils, and repeat whenever necessary! Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins.Promising review: "I am taking anatomy this year and, after my first dissection, decided the smell of decaying rats was unbearable. I got in time for my practical and it masked the smell perfectly! Would def recommend to anyone dealing with pungent smells." —h. KrakeGet it from the StinkBalm Store on Amazon Handmade for $8.99.
A flat hair clip so that you can give your neck a little rest and actually lean your head back on the couch. You'll still get the cute claw clip look, but with the ability to get some dang relief while serving looks.
Promising review: "I was getting so tired of the headaches that claw clips gave me, as well as the daily annoyance of not being able to lean my head back. I hated having the clips bang on the headrest in the car. These are perfect! They allow you to put your head back in the car, on the couch, or in bed. Plus, they really hold your hair, even if it's thin like mine. Cute colors as well! Get these!!" —Jeanne JohnsonGet a six-pack from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in 20 colors/styles).
A Dubai chocolate bar because it's all over your FYP on TikTok and you've been dying to know what the hype was about. It's stuffed with pistachio cream and a shredded phyllo dough called "kataifi" and the combo is so delicious, you may shed a tear taking your last bite. Y'all, is it me, or does it look like a Reptar bar?
Promising reviews: "I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but I'm a sucker and had to try it to see what all the hype is about. Well, it's completely justified. It's amazing. The chocolate is excellent quality and so creamy and smooth. The pistachio adds this nutty flavor, and there is a wonderful crunch. It's good." —Tami A."I was anxious to try this since I've seen the Dubai chocolate bar go viral on TikTok. It was very delicious trying it for the first time. It was slightly melted due to the heat during transport, but I put it in the fridge for a few minutes before trying and it was amazing. If you're anxious to try it without going through the trouble of making it yourself, then try this." —AleshaGet it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in a two-pack).
A "Born to yap" downloadable digital print that matches your vibe perfectly. IDK about y'all, but ever since I was a child I knew that I wanted to talk a whole lot all of the time. If you're a professional yapper, your space needs this.
GS Print Shoppe is a small biz that specializes in wall art and apparel.Once you make your purchase you'll be sent five design files and a size guide. You won't be sent a physical copy because *remember* this is a digital print but you can print it!And check out their sweaters, they have the cutest phrases on them. I have this one in the orchid color and I must say, perfect description of me. Get the digital print from GS Print Shoppe for $7.95.
An earring holder stand or shall I say the absolute cutest way to hold and display your fave little hoops. OMG it looks like something from Polly Pocket, so adorable.
A four-pack of bio-collagen overnight masks that'll work like a magic spell to deliver you tighter pores, tons of skin elasticity, improved skin texture and tone, and *loads* of hydration. I promise you don't have to recite any incantations, simply put it on at night and wake up with glowy, radiant skin.
Promising review: "Overnight glow-up! I recently tried the BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, and it's a treat for my skin! This hydrating overnight hydrogel mask leaves my face feeling refreshed and elastic by morning. While it minimizes pores, the real magic is in the deep hydration it provides. It's a perfect addition to my nighttime routine. Highly recommend for a glowing complexion!" —MarisaGet a four-pack from Amazon for $19 (available in three styles and a 16-pack).
A ceramic strawberry milk vase — the cutest way possible to display those a few of those flowers you picked up at Trader Joe's. You can also put it on your desk or vanity and use it for pens or makeup brushes!
It does not have a drainage hole at the bottom!Promising review: "I already have the OJ vase and so I had to get this one when I saw it. It did not disappoint!" —Meaghan H.Get it from Ban.do for $26.95.
A peanut butter sampler that comes with six mouthwatering flavors made from honey roasted peanuts. If you already eat PB from the jar, you'll absolutely love this delicious upgrade and have a hard time controlling yourself.
The flavors include: a jar of peanut butter with cherries and milk chocolate, a jar of peanut butter with milk chocolate, toffee, and rice krispies, a jar of peanut butter with white chocolate and pretzels, a jar of peanut butter with cranberries, white chocolate, and dark chocolate, a jar of peanut butter with honey, almonds, and granola, and a jar of peanut butter with coconut, dark chocolate, and almonds. Promising review: "I got this as a gift for my Dad for Christmas because he is constantly snacking on peanut butter. The whole house is now snacking on this sampler because they are TOO good to resist! Definitely treat yourself and order this Peanut Butter Sampler!" —LexGet the set of six jars from Uncommon Goods for $45.
A drawing salve for uhh, basically everything. It'll help draw out splinters, thorns, ingrown hairs, boils, cysts, and ingrown toenails, and relieve itchiness from poison ivy/oak, dry skin, cuts, burns, and bug bites. It's packed with everything you'd find in a Sanderson potion like frankincense, arnica, castor oil, and other magical ingredients that'll help ease your skin irritations quick.
Promising review: "Okay. Maybe TMI, but I get a lot of bumps on my body — be they ingrown hairs, reactions to new products, whatever. I had a boil, cyst, idk? — on my armpit, and nothing would help it drain until I tried this stuff. Like magic. Put it on at night since it should not be used under a bandage per instructions, but maybe be aware that you might bleed if you have a boil, bite, or something else blood-filled that needs to pop. Recently, I had a badly inflamed ingrown hair on my leg. I could seriously barely walk. I was sobbing uncontrollably in pain. I had tried Neosporin with pain relief, lidocaine ointment, you name it. Nothing was helping. It was days before my wedding, and I seriously didn't think I could walk down the aisle in the state I was in. My fiancé remembered I had this little gem in the bathroom and suggested I try it. I was desperate and in excruciating pain, so I figured, why not? Woke up the next morning with blood all over my leg, inside my pants, etc, but the bump(s) had drained, and I could walk again. This stuff literally saved my wedding." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in two sizes and in multipacks).
The Dingle Dangle set that'll have you looking extremely silly but for good reason. It'll help distract your squirmy little one who hates being changed. And once the diaper changing is done, it can be transformed into a portable baby mobile for your baby's stroller or crib, *and* into a rattle that your little babe can play with. So basically, it's like, three products in one.
Your guests, when they come over and you hand them a *personal* charcuterie board:
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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Newsweek
40 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Woman Hides From Dog Demanding To Play Fetch, It Goes As Expected
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The endless energy of a playful dog is something that many pet owners know well. One woman's recent attempt to catch a break from a relentless game of fetch with her canine has become a viral TikTok moment, capturing the sweet and persistent nature of a Labrador retriever. Since it was posted, the video of the pup's determination to find her has received over 838,000 views. "Hiding behind my couch because I needed a break from throwing her ball," the owner captioned the video. The footage shows her perspective from behind the couch, only to be shocked by her dog leaping to peer over the edge with a ball. The canine, a mix of Labrador retriever, Australian shepherd and poodle, has captured hearts everywhere with her enthusiasm. You Can't Hide From the Game The video resonated with thousands of viewers, many of whom have experienced the same exhaustion from a game of fetch. One user perfectly summed up the dog's persistence: "In the wise words of [Taken actor] Liam Neeson 'I will look for you, I will find you,'" they wrote. "It makes me feel so seen to see posts from other people hiding from their dogs," another commented. A third owner shared a similar strategy for getting a break. "The only time my dog stops is if I lay on the bed, and she will come up with me. Sometimes, I play on my phone for a ridiculous amount of time to just get a break," they wrote. One commenter joked about the owner's elaborate hiding spot: "I yelled out scared because I didn't have time to finish reading and I thought a killer was out to get you." A more-practical user offered a tip for future games of hide-and-seek: "Since they smell where you were, just walk in a ton of different places and they won't know where you went," they wrote. Stock photo: A dog plays with a toy ball at home. Stock photo: A dog plays with a toy ball at Psychology Behind Fetch A blog post from Wag! said a dog's love for fetch is deeply rooted in its natural instincts. Playing the game isn't just a fun activity; it "satisfies their need to be useful." In a canine's mind, they aren't just retrieving a ball, but bringing back "food" for a pack. As natural hunters, dogs love to be kept occupied and see their owner as the pack leader. When they play fetch, they are bringing an "offering" and acknowledging their owner's role. The blog post also noted that fetch is an excellent way for dogs to expend energy and brain power, which can prevent them from getting bored or destructive. But it also warns that some pups can become so obsessed with the game that it can be frustrating for owners. When a canine "is constantly thrusting the ball at you in the hope you'll join in with the game," it may be time to put the toy away and out of sight until the next scheduled play session. Newsweek reached out to @christaniner for comment via TikTok.


Fast Company
41 minutes ago
- Fast Company
Podcasting is bigger than ever—but not without its growing pains
Greetings, salutations, and thanks for reading Fast Company 's Plugged In. On August 4, Amazon announced that it was restructuring its Wondery podcast studio. The company's CEO and about 110 employees are leaving. Those who remain are being divvied between Amazon's audiobook arm Audible and a new group called Creator Services, reported The New York Times 's Jessica Testa. Observers, including my colleague Grace Snelling, connected Amazon's reevaluation of Wondery's future with YouTube's emergence as, arguably, podcasting's dominant platform. As of October 2024, according to Edison Research, the video giant had more podcast listeners than Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Calling podcast fans 'listeners' may already be an anachronism, though: In February of this year, YouTube itself claimed 1 billion podcast viewers. Overall, says Edison, Americans spend 773 million hours per week consuming podcasts, up more than 350% in a decade. That translates into 7.7 hours per week per podcast consumer. The medium has changed tremendously in those 10 years. Back in 2015, the hottest podcast was the spellbinding true-crime show Serial, which won a Peabody Award that April after debuting in October 2014. It proved that podcasting—like terrestrial radio in its pre-TV golden age—could conjure up a 'theater of the mind.' A podcast could keep you on the edge of your seat, maybe even more so because you provided the visuals yourself. In Serial 's wake, plenty of compelling narrative podcasts did emerge. Still, the field always seemed a little stunted. True crime provided a disproportionate percentage of shows, as you can tell from the titles of such Wondery series as Dr. Death, Killer Privilege, Morbid, American Scandal, and Blood and Vines. As engrossing as tales of murder and scandal can be, I expected more kinds of stories to emerge over time. Instead, storytelling in general has been on the wane. Podcasting is now awash in talking heads—hosts gabbing with guests about a given topic, most often relating to current events. I'm not knocking shows dedicated to discussion of news of the day: I consume scads of them and appear on my share. Yet I do feel a twinge of sadness that they've overwhelmed other types of programming. A medium capable of anything has morphed into a giant talk show. This trend helps explain why podcasts have become so important to YouTube, and vice versa. As the medium has focused on conversation, it's become typified by hosts who are glib and charismatic, such as Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Alex Cooper of Call Her Daddy, and Armchair Expert 's Dax Shepard. You don't have to like all of them to acknowledge that they're vivid personalities and good at expressing themselves in a memorable way. That gives them a lot in common with the creators who have long attracted mass audiences on YouTube. Some audio-only podcasts are repurposed on YouTube without a real visual element. But the ones that feel at home are full-blown video productions. Sometimes, they're shot with fancy equipment in a studio and meticulously edited; other times, their production values are reminiscent of a staff meeting held on Zoom. Either way, video podcasting's popularity on YouTube shows that it can command attention—even if all you're seeing is people sitting around and chatting. Now, video podcasts are hardly new—I've somehow managed to hold on to a few I downloaded 15 years ago using Apple's iTunes, which helped popularize podcasts in the first place. Apple's present-day Podcasts app supports video as well. Meanwhile, Spotify has lately been beefing up its video experience, adding features such as the ability to flip back and forth between video Joe Rogan and audio-only Joe Rogan in mid-podcast. Even so, the recent boom in video podcasting may have snuck up on the rest of the industry. And in case you haven't noticed, it's tough to beat YouTube at creating an environment that's conducive to watching video. App developers taking video at least as seriously as audio might be critical to the future of podcasting, a mode of communication that has thrived in part because it's so open. There's no vast content repository controlled by a single company; instead, podcast feeds run on RSS, which is why you can subscribe to all your favorite shows in the app of your choice. (From 2020 to 2024, when a deal reportedly worth $200 million made The Joe Rogan Experience exclusive to Spotify, it wasn't a podcast by the strictest sense of the term.) By its nature, RSS also respects privacy: Creators can tell how many downloads they're getting, and can detect subscribers' IP addresses, but they can't use data on individual listeners for ad targeting or other purposes. YouTube lets creators pipe RSS feeds of their podcasts onto the platform to automate their distribution. But a pedant might contend that they're no longer podcasts once they get there. They're just YouTube shows monetized via YouTube advertising, inhabiting a parallel universe distinct from RSS-powered podcasting as it exists in other apps. Which is why not all podcasts are available on YouTube and nobody assumes that every YouTube show will be available elsewhere. Last year, Google doubled down on YouTube as its podcasting hub by discontinuing its own podcast app in favor of YouTube Music. As that app's name indicates, it's mostly a portal to stuff on YouTube. But it does let you subscribe to podcasts by plugging in their RSS feeds. That preserves a link to podcasting in its most open form, even if it's more of a backup than the primary interface. None of this matters much as long as the greater podcast ecosystem beyond YouTube remains viable. I'd be alarmed if YouTube started cutting exclusivity deals for popular podcasts, or if its position grew so commanding that creators just didn't bother making their shows available elsewhere. So far, neither scenario is panning out. Here's hoping they never do. It's fine for the lines between podcasting and YouTube to blur a bit—as long as they don't fade away altogether. You've been reading Plugged In, Fast Company 's weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to you—or if you're reading it on can check out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Friday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me at hmccracken@ with your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. I'm also on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads, and you can follow Plugged In on Flipboard.


Newsweek
42 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Moment Dog Feels Owner's Baby Kick For First Time: 'Her Little Smile'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hearts have well and truly been melted by the adorable moment a dog felt her owner's baby kick for the very first time. While Lizzy West, 29, was enjoying some downtime on the couch, her sweet pup Crumble couldn't resist joining her for a nap. West, who is currently 24 weeks pregnant, has noticed how much Crumble loves to lie on her stomach now as her baby bump grows. West, from the U.K., has felt her baby kick countless times, but she explained to Newsweek that the kicks "haven't been strong enough" to feel on the outside—until now. Crumble was enjoying some well-earned sleep on her owner's belly when she too felt the baby kicking for the first time. "I had seen other dogs react, so I decided to start recording on my phone and see if she'd notice," West said. "I wasn't sure if she would be able to notice it or not, and she was very sweet but also looked petrified at the same time." Crumble lying on her owner's bump and feeling the baby kicking. Crumble lying on her owner's bump and feeling the baby kicking. @lizzy__west / TikTok After capturing Crumble's precious reaction, West couldn't resist sharing the footage on TikTok (@lizzy__west). During the video, Crumble's eyes opened when she felt the movements, which jolted her awake. She did look a little uncertain at times, but she was nonetheless very loving. In the days since the video was shared online, it has delighted internet users and gone viral with over 192,000 views and 5,100 likes at the time of writing. Crumble, who is a Bichon Frise, Jack Russell, and Cockapoo mix, has always been "very cuddly," but she's become even more so now that West is expecting. In fact, Crumble loves to lay across West's bump or rest her head on it. It remains unclear how much dogs understand when their owner is pregnant. They may feel movements and sense changes as the American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that they can likely detect a change in scent and hormones, but they might not comprehend what that means. Dogs have 60 times as many smell receptors as humans do, as the AKC highlights that they can differentiate between 30,000 to 100,000 different scents. Some researchers have suggested that dogs may be able to detect when a woman is pregnant before she even knows due to the changes in her hormones—but that hasn't been proven and remains conjecture. "We have three dogs and they're all very calm and gentle in nature (although a little jealous). I think they will be amazing big sisters, and I can't wait to watch them grow up together," West told Newsweek. Internet users have praised Crumble for being so gentle towards West, but that isn't always the case. She certainly looked cute and sweet in the video, but West joked that she still uses her stomach "as a trampoline" at times. Among the comments on the video, one TikTok user replied: "Her little smile when she realized." Another person added: "She is also hearing a lot in there." But not every dog reacts like this, as one comment reads: "Am I the only one with a clueless dog that just tries to stand on my belly?" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.