#133 Reply All’s 2018 Year End Extravaganza

The '#133 Reply All's 2018 Year End Extravaganza' episode is a tapestry of updates, reflections, and personal stories that create an intimate end-of-year review for the 'Reply All' podcast. The episode opens with hosts PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman discussing the concept of 'Wacky Wednesday,' setting the stage for an unconventional episode that revisits past stories and explores new ones. The first update revisits the 'Snapchat Thief' episode, where a listener named Lizzie had her Snapchat account stolen and was being threatened. Alex Goldman delves into the aftermath of the story, revealing his own concerns about being targeted by the hackers he investigated. Despite his fears, the hackers were largely indifferent to the podcast, and Alex shares a personal consequence of the episode: his Social Security number was bought online, prompting him to take additional security measures.

The episode then transitions to 'The Crime Machine,' which detailed the misuse of crime statistics in the NYPD. PJ Vogt reconnects with Chris Mitchell, who had interviewed Jack Maple, the creator of the crime-tracking system. Chris shares anecdotes about Jack and provides insight into Jack's awareness and plans to address the system's manipulation. This segment underscores the complexities of implementing systems that can be both beneficial and detrimental.

In a lighter segment, the hosts engage in a 'Lightning Round' competition, attempting to provide quick updates on various stories. Producer Phia Bennin joins the fray, representing the producers' updates. The competition is playful yet chaotic, with the hosts and producer sharing snippets about topics ranging from Pizzagate to personal anecdotes about carding for cigarettes.

The episode concludes with a series of audio submissions from listeners around the world, sharing sounds and stories from their most isolated or unique places. These submissions range from the serene sounds of nature to deeply personal confessions of loneliness and loss. The segment, titled 'Unobtainium,' captures the essence of the human experience—diverse, poignant, and profoundly connected despite physical distances.