Theresa Loconsolo, audio producer at TechCrunch, is quickly turning heads with her emphasis on the network’s Equity flagship podcast. Based in New Jersey, Loconsolo brings her expertise in communication, holding a bachelor’s degree from Monmouth University, to discussions that shape the understanding of technology’s influence on society.
Equity is produced by Loconsolo and senior reporter Rebecca Bellan. Join them as they together unpack the world of startups and innovation, and dive into how democracy can save the tech industry. The show has grown to be a key outlet for dissecting how technological progress meets the moment of a remarkable news cycle.
Rebecca Bellan is one of the most important voices at TechCrunch, calling out the big four—Tesla, Elon Musk, and mobility as a service. While she deeply covers EVs and electrification in general, her coverage doesn’t stop there. She explores issues such as autonomy, AI, electrification, gig work platforms, and the regulatory backlash that Big Tech is currently experiencing.
Politically, Musk’s impact on our current political landscape is hard to ignore. He has already invested almost $300 million in efforts to get Donald Trump elected. As such, he has considerable power and control over the federal agencies that regulate his companies. His companies have won over $6 billion in federal contracts—proof of how strong the pipeline from government to technology runs.
Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Palmer Luckey, and other influential figures have established strong networks well within Silicon Valley’s boon—or bust. These networks extend very far into both state and federal policymaking circles. These relationships highlight the growing intersection between technology and policy-making, as tech founders navigate a landscape where their innovations can significantly affect public policy.
In a recent episode of Equity, our co-founder Daniel Weiner laid out the responsibility of technologists, saying,
“Startup culture may be great for putting out a new app or building a successful company, but not for distributing tens of millions of people’s benefits. Real people with real interests are at stake.”
This comment sums up a key obstacle experienced by practitioners in the technology space. As they create, the stakes for society and individuals couldn’t be higher.
You can listen to all the recent episodes from Equity, but do not miss its return this Friday with a weekly news round-up. You can follow the podcast on both social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Threads, at @EquityPod.