Vox Media is returning to SXSW with its biggest presence yet, featuring podcast tapings, panel discussions, special events, and a documentary premiere. Starting Saturday, March 8th, the company will host the second annual Vox Media Podcast Stage presented by Smartsheet with live tapings of fan-favorite shows hosted by leading voices including journalist Kara Swisher and professor Scott Galloway, world champion athletes Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, tech creator Marques Brownlee, and many more.
Vox Media’s executives, editorial leaders, and star talent will be participating in panels throughout the festival, and the company will celebrate the world premiere of Deepfaking Sam Altman, a documentary from Vox Media Studios and New York Magazine.
Be sure to stop by the Vox Media Podcast Stage and check out the rest of the events below.
Saturday, March 8
Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast hosted by tech experts Marques Brownlee, Andrew Manganelli and David Imel
Time: 10:00 am -11:00 am CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Today, Explained hosted by journalist Sean Rameswaram, featuring Governor Tim Walz
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
How Video Enhanced the Audio Star
Speakers: Nishat Kurwa (Vox Media), Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF), Stephanie Chan (YouTube), Ben Hethcoat (Crooked Media)
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, Ballroom B
Today’s podcast landscape has moved beyond the simple binary, “audio or video?” As video platforms become increasingly important vehicles for podcast consumption and discovery, the medium holds new opportunities and challenges for creators.
Speakers: Kara Swisher (On, Pivot), Kory Marchisotto (e.l.f Beauty)
Time: 12:30pm – 1:00pm CT
Location: The Female Quotient’s FQ Lounge at Waller Creek Boathouse
An inspirational conversation with Vox Media’s Kara Swisher and e.l.f Beauty CMO Kory Marchiotto on why democratizing access – whether that’s in the boardrooms, in the workplace, in the community and beyond are so crucial in today’s business and political landscape.
Speakers: Scott Galloway
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, Ballroom D
Prof Galloway shares his annual predictions, examining consumer, tech, and business trends that will have the biggest impact in 2025. Using data-informed insights, he will share his vision for the trends and opportunities that will define the year ahead.
On with Kara Swisher hosted by journalist Kara Swisher, featuring Senator Elizabeth Warren
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Networth & Chill hosted by Your Rich BFF Vivian Tu, featuring actor Nico Santos
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
World Premiere of Deepfaking Sam Altman
Time: 9:30 pm
Location: Hyatt Regency
Director Adam Bhala Lough sets out to better understand the technology and people at the center of the AI boom. His quest sends him on a path towards the father of AI, OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman. When he isn’t able to sit down with Altman himself, Adam travels to India to create an AI version of him to interview instead. Hartbeat partners with Vox Media Studios and Lough for this documentary based on reporting from New York Magazine.
Sunday, March 9
Pivot hosted by journalist Kara Swisher and professor Scott Galloway
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Channels hosted by journalist Peter Kafka, featuring Twitch CEO Dan Clancy
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
On with Kara Swisher hosted by journalist Kara Swisher, featuring comedian Chelsea Handler
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
A Touch More hosted by world renowned athletes Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, featuring Olympian and American Mile Record holder Nikki Hiltz and Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Love is Blind SXSW Watch Party (sold out)
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Lucille Patio Lounge
Vulture and Netflix are partnering to celebrate five years of Love Is Blind with a watch party for the Season 8 reunion and a post-reunion discussion with special guests from the season.
Monday, March 10
Where Should We Begin? hosted by acclaimed psychotherapist Esther Perel, featuring researcher and author Peter Attia
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Prof G Markets, hosted by entrepreneur Scott Galloway and research analyst Ed Elson
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Podcasting in 2025: Building Shows That Extend Beyond Audio
Speakers: Ray Chao (Vox Media), Ben Davis (WME), Paige Port (Dear Media), Anne Steele (The Wall Street Journal)
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, Room 6AB
As the lines between social, audio, and video platforms continue to blur, creators have more opportunities than ever when it comes to building podcasts and shows that reach audiences everywhere they consume content.
Strengthening the Business of Mission-Driven Media
Speakers: Swati Sharma (Vox), Sewell Chan (Columbia Journalism Review), Stephen Engelberg (ProPublica), Betsy Reed (Guardian US)
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, Room 8ABC
In a challenging media landscape, mission-driven media organizations are investing in audience loyalty and diversifying their revenue streams with audience contributions, grants, and more, to support journalism that keeps their audiences informed and engaged.
Served hosted by tennis champion Andy Roddick, featuring research professor Brené Brown
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
Not Just Football hosted by 2024 NFL “Man of the Year” and Pittsburgh Steelers team captain Cam Heyward and his best friend, Hayden Walsh
Time: 4:00 pm CT – 5:00 pm CT
Location: Vox Media Podcast Stage, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A
AI and Power Concentration: Building Tech to Empower Us All
Speakers: Kylie Robison (The Verge), Emilia Javorsky (The Future of Life Institute), Daniel Kokotajlo (Whistleblower), Lawrence Lessig (Harvard Law School)
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CT
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon C
Advanced AI is rapidly concentrating extraordinary power in the hands of a few companies and individuals through job replacement, media control, and mass surveillance.
Tuesday, March 11
The Rise of the Athlete – Media Entrepreneur
Speakers: Andy Roddick, Cam Heyward, Lillian Xu (Vox Media)
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00 pm CT
Location: Sportico House, Wanderlust Wine Co., Address: 610 N Interstate Hwy 35
With major media and tech companies competing over rights deals, sports content proliferating outside of linear TV and radio on new platforms, and the rise of podcasts and shows helmed by a new class of media talent, sports media has never seen such rapid change and fragmentation.
Wednesday, March 12
Building Trustworthy AI: Evolving Safety Practices for GenAI
Speakers: Kylie Robison (The Verge), Sarah Bird (Microsoft)
Time: 4:0 0pm – 5:00 pm CT
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon DE
To harness the vast potential of AI responsibly, organizations must adopt tools and practices that support safety by default. This session will explore how safety is evolving as a fundamental aspect of responsible AI and how existing practices are being adapted to address the unique risks posed by generative AI.
About Vox Media
Vox Media is the leading modern media company, reaching audiences everywhere they are. Known for editorial properties including Vox, SB Nation, New York Magazine, Eater, and The Verge, the company’s portfolio features the most relevant, respected, and engaging editorial properties and voices. The company is also home to award-winning storytelling businesses such as Vox Media Studios and the Vox Media Podcast Network, as well as innovative technologies that support the entire media industry, including the Concert advertising marketplace.
About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2025 will take place March 7–15 in Austin. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.
