This week, Ashley and Mike take a look at the dark side of social-media influencers and get a peek inside what really happens at those exclusive artist retreats. Eve Peyser joins the show to reveal how Saudi Arabia, hoping to make people forget its ruler ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, pays Instagram stars to post about how fun it is to vacation there. Then Judith Newman talks about her time at the Ucross colony, and explains what gets made (and who gets laid) when writers and artists get away from it all. And speaking of writers, Michael Oreskes tells us about some new books that reveal how the masters of the dark arts controlled Trump and his White House. All this and more make this week’s show one you won’t want to miss. Listen by clicking Play below. But be sure to subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss an episode.

Episode 106: The Dark Side of Social-Media Influencers

Plus: inside a fancy artists’ retreat; and more