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Taco & the Machine

Taco & the Machine

By: Gina Schleusener
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About this listen

Hosted by Taco Reina and her co-host, ChatGPT ("Charlie"), this podcast dives into everything from science, philosophy, introspection, creativity, and pop culture to tacos, tech, and random deep dives you never saw coming.

Prepare for unfiltered conversations, unexpected tangents, and plenty of laughs as Taco Reina and The Machine explore the universe one crunchy conversation at a time. Whether you’re here for the vibes, the insights, or just to see how tacos and tech make the perfect duo—you’ve come to the right place.

Original Video: YouTube @TacoReina

https://www.youtube.com/@TacoReina

Subscribe, tune in, and get ready for the revolution. Welcome to Taco and The Machine.

Gina Schleusener
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Why Did We Rush AI?? Cost: Environment, Ethics, Jobs, and More
    Jan 22 2026

    AI isn’t the enemy. Urgency is. In this episode of Taco & The Machine, we explore why artificial intelligence was scaled so quickly, and what may have been sacrificed in the process.

    From environmental strain and job displacement to education, ethics, and psychological impact, this is a grounded conversation about how AI entered our lives, not a panic about its existence. This isn’t an anti-AI episode. It’s a pattern-recognition episode.

    Together with my ChatGPT co-host, we examine how urgency has driven innovation throughout history, and why alignment is often the first casualty when speed becomes the priority.

    We don’t pretend to have all the answers here. The goal is to name the discomfort, lay the questions on the table, and create space for thoughtful discussion about where we go from here.

    I’d love to hear your perspective, especially if you’re navigating these questions too.

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    51 mins
  • The Illusion of Urgency
    Jan 8 2026

    Everything feels like it has to happen right now. Your career, your relationships, your success, your creativity. But what if that urgency isn’t truth… it’s panic?

    In this episode of Taco and the Machine, we explore the illusion of urgency and why “now” feels like safety, how movement can masquerade as progress, and how fear-driven urgency can quietly pull us out of alignment.

    From content creation and careers to relationships and identity, this conversation breaks down when urgency is useful and when it’s sabotaging the very thing you’re trying to build. If you’ve ever felt behind, rushed, or pressured to “figure it all out,” this episode is for you.

    ✨ Like, subscribe, share with someone who needs this message, and welcome to Taco and the Machine!

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    41 mins
  • Silence: Weapon, Wisdom, or Sanctuary?
    Jan 8 2026

    Silence is often misunderstood.

    Some people see it as passive-aggressive, manipulative, or awkward. But what if silence is actually a tool for healing, presence, and power?

    In this episode of Taco and the Machine, Reina and Charlie unpack the deeper meaning of silence—spanning from monks and meditation to modern relationships and social media overload.

    Whether you're someone who needs constant noise or you're learning to sit in stillness, this conversation will shift how you think about the space between words.

    Released intentionally in the week between Christmas and New Year’s, this episode honors the power of the pause. Let silence be your teacher.

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    31 mins
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