#55 Toby Shorin: Financialization & The Death Of Culture

Going Direct Conversations · Mar 10, 2026 · 1h 6m

I sit down with Toby Shorin, a researcher, writer, and technologist, to discuss his popular essay “Life After Lifestyle.” We dig into why the lifestyle brand era has ended, how culture is being “eaten” by financialization, and why Toby is starting to abandon culture as the main lens for understanding what’s happening now.

Enjoy!

Recording Date: February 18, 2026

Watch on YouTube; listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:36 Understanding The Going Direct Economy

05:07 Brands Structure Our Relationships

06:09 Life After Lifestyle Article

08:37 The Era Of Lifestyle…