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Vox Media Makes a Splash at SXSW in The Deep End

A full recap our first-ever SXSW experience!

At SXSW 2018, Vox Media kicked off its inaugural event aptly named The Deep End. True to its mission, The Deep End took our passionate audience deeper into SXSW by creating a space that ignited curiosity and drove meaningful human connection. Over the course of three days, we hosted over 5,000 guests at The Belmont in Austin. The event featured an exclusive lineup of live podcast recordings from Vox Media’s networks, musical performances presented by Twix, Eater-curated food, a SB Nation Selection Sunday game show presented by Great Clips, and a Polygon speakeasy arcade presented by Nest. Guests throughout the weekend recharged (themselves and their phones) in the Tempur-Pedic Lounge, sampled flights of kombucha from KeVita, and pitched their business start-up ideas in the MailChimp x Vox Creative Explainer Booth.

photo credit: Ryan Muir

The Deep End by Vox Media proved that SXSW can be about more than just NBDB and FOMO. We were able to show that it can still be “…about the art.” And about the substantive conversations, “where it hardly seemed remarkable that Katie Couric, Bill de Blasio, and Kara Swisher were seated together at a private dinner.” The event was covered by national and local media, including Adweek, Vanity Fair, POLITICO, Business Insider, USA Today, Food & Wine, Austin American-Statesman, Austin360 and more. We’re so grateful to all of you who could jump in. You were what made it so special and we’ll look forward to an even better Deep End experience at SXSW 2019!

Couldn’t make it to The Deep End? Find out more about future Vox Media events by signing up for our newsletter!

Plus, check out all of the amazing podcasts (and subscribe!) below.

Live from The Deep End

Recode Decode: Kara Swisher interviews Maria Shriver and Christina Schwarzenegger

Maria Shriver and her daughter, Christina Schwartzenegger, joined Recode’s Kara Swisher on The Deep End stage to discuss their new Netflix documentary “Take Your Pills.” Subscribe here.

Recode Media Live: Peter Kafka & Jason Blum

Recode’s Peter Kafka was joined by Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum, the innovative Hollywood producer behind such hits as “Paranormal Activity” and “Get Out,” for which director Jordan Peele won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, for a discussion on the future of media. Subscribe here.

Recode Decode Live: Kara Swisher & Esther Perel

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel joined Recode’s Kara Swisher for a candid conversation about the boundaries tech has created in our relationships. Subscribe here.

Recode’s Dan Frommer Live with MilkBar Chef Christina Tosi

As the founder and CEO of Milk Bar, Christina Tosi has build an empire that includes retail stores, cool product collaborations, classes and books, all while engaging and enticing an ever-growing fan base. She joined Recode’s editor in chief Dan Frommer on stage to talk about what it takes to build a business that not only delights customers but keeps them coming back again and again.

Recode Decode Live: Kara Swisher & Jose Andres

Celebrity Chef and activist Jose Andres discussed his humanitarian venture, World Central Kitchen, and the roles that social media and food can play in post-disaster community building with Recode’s Kara Swisher. Subscribe here.

The Ezra Klein Show Live: Ezra Klein & Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates joined Vox’s Ezra Klein in The Deep End for a live recording of The Ezra Klein Show where the two discussed diversity in tech, ending malaria, and the problems money can’t solve. Subscribe here.

Recode Decode: Kara Swisher and Former Advisor to Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett

Recode’s Kara Swisher interviewed former advisor to Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett about diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and much more. Subscribe here.

The Bill Simmons Podcast with Bill Hader

Bill Hader joined Bill Simmons in The Deep End for a live recording of The Bill Simmons Podcast to discuss his new HBO comedy, Barry, some of his best stories from working on Saturday Night Live, and the state of satire in the world today. Subscribe here.

Vergecast Live

The Verge’s Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn, Ashley Carman, and Casey Newton got together to talk about the week’s tech news and be heckled by Verge fans in Austin for a live recording of Vergecast from The Deep End. Subscribe here.

Why’d You Push That Button Live

The Verge’s Ashley Carman and Kaitlyn Tiffany were live from The Deep End for a special live recording of Why’d You Push That Button featuring OKCupid’s Jordan Guggenheim and Bumble’s Dr. Jess Carbino for a discussion about ghosting. Subscribe here.