Shows
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaMarketing pro Tariq Hassan on how McDonald’s embraced its Donald Trump drive-thru momentWhen now-President Donald Trump decided to put on an apron and serve customers at a McDonald’s drive-thru on the 2024 campaign trail, it put Tariq Hassan, then McDonald’s chief marketer, in a tight spot. On this week’s Mixed Signals, Ben and Max sit down with the former Golden Arches CMO to discuss the Trump episode, why he thinks ad makers should engage with journalists, and what goes into a good celebrity Super Bowl ad.
2026-02-0653 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaHeated Rivalry & 'Big C' Canadian Content, with Bell's Sean CohanA year into Hollywood’s heralded vibe shift, as major production companies in the US have increasingly catered to broader or more conservative tastes, a gay Canadian hockey romance was not an obvious choice to become a hit. On this week’s Mixed Signals, Ben and Max bring on Bell Media CEO Sean Cohan to unpack the success of Heated Rivalry and explain how it became an overnight cultural sensation. Cohan also talks about Bell’s strategy of using licensing deals to reach new audiences, the enduring power of a well-told romance, and why Canadian storytelling is only getting starte...
2026-01-3053 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaFreakonomics’ Stephen Dubner on why long-form podcasting isn't dead yetStephen Dubner has spent 20 years proving that things aren't what they seem—and now he's not so sure that's always true. The co-creator of Freakonomics and host of one of podcasting's most enduring shows joins Ben and Max to talk about why he never sold to Spotify, how The New York Times shifted from telling readers things to telling them what to think, and his new self-funded TV experiment that's "like laundering podcast money." Along the way, Dubner explains how he accidentally got sucked into the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni gossip vortex (Candace Owens was involved), makes the case for pr...
2026-01-2352 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaUndersecretary Sarah Rogers on free speech, Europe’s tech crackdown, and the internet she missesSarah Rogers, the State Department’s undersecretary for public diplomacy, joins Mixed Signals for a wide-ranging conversation about free speech, tech regulation, and why she’s been rattling the patience of some European governments. Max and Ben press her on confronting Europe over X, the Digital Services Act, and online speech — including accusations that she’s carrying water for Elon Musk and the far right. Rogers traces her worldview back to the early internet, Gawker comment sections, and First Amendment litigation, and explains why she sees today’s speech rules as potentially dangerous.And, don’t miss this week’s bonus episod...
2026-01-1652 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaJustin Smith and Ben Smith on Semafor's next chapterSemafor CEO Justin Smith joins Mixed Signals for a candid discussion about why the digital media company raised $30 million late last year, and how it reached profitability in just three years.
Max asks Justin and Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith about the company’s $330 valuation, the company’s planned investment in the Gulf and East Asia, and what it takes to build a modern media company in 2026.
Justin and Ben reflect on lessons from earlier eras of digital media, and the triumphs and mistakes Semafor made in its first three years.
Sign up for Sema...
2026-01-1539 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaRyan Lizza on Olivia Nuzzi, RFK Jr, and the Substack-ification of a scandalMedia veteran Ryan Lizza joins Mixed Signals for a raw, sprawling conversation about why he chose to publish an eight-part (and counting) Substack series responding to the most personal and public crisis of his career. Max and Ben press him on whether this was ever just a breakup story, why he believes the real scandal involves RFK Jr. and journalistic failures, and how Substack gave him the only viable way to tell the story in the first place. Lizza reflects on leaving Politico, burning bridges with legacy outlets, the cost of going public, and what this episode taught him...
2026-01-0954 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaKevin O’Leary on playing the villain and turning attention into powerShark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary joins Mixed Signals to talk about his buzzy turn as a ruthless tycoon in Marty Supreme — and how it felt playing a fictionalized version of himself. Max and Ben dig into what lessons he took from working with Josh Safdie and Timothee Chalamet, why Mark Cuban isn’t on Shark Tank anymore, and why he believes movie theaters aren’t going anywhere. They also talk about O’Leary’s media omnipresence, how his defense of Trump helped him influence the Republican tax bill, what he told Zohran Mamdani when they met in New York, and why h...
2026-01-0244 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaTikTok Stars on the Politicians Begging Them for ExposureWhat happens when TikTokers replace TV hosts and interviewers, and presidential candidates start begging to be on their shows?
Brian Reed sits down in a Brooklyn wine shop with four of the internet’s biggest creators: Caleb Simpson, who gets people on the street to take him up to their apartments; Julian Shapiro-Barnum who interviews kids on Recess Therapy; Anania Williams of the LGBTQ quiz show Gaydar; and Jack Coyne, host of the music game show Track Star. Their videos reach more people than many major news outlets. But who gets control over what they run? When is...
2025-12-3038 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaWhat actually mattered in 2025, with Janice Min and Emily SundbergThe Ankler’s Janice Min and FeedMe founder Emily Sundberg join Mixed Signals for a candid roundtable lookback at a disorienting year in media. They sound off on everything from YouTube’s domination, to the Charlie Kirk saga, and the increasingly niche areas of coverage for newsletters. Max and Ben also ask about Substack’s evolution, creator economics, and what media moments might be top of mind for 2026.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.
2025-12-2635 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaInstagram's Adam Mosseri on algorithms, AI slop, and how to beat TikTokHead of Instagram Adam Mosseri joins Mixed Signals to talk about what Instagram actually is in 2025, and what it isn't. Max and Ben ask about the platform’s new move onto TV screens, the dominance of Reels and DMs, and whether “everything is becoming television.” Mosseri also explains how the company is competing with TikTok and YouTube, and whether "AI slop" is a legitimate concern for social media feeds.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more from Think with Google, check out...
2025-12-1944 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaAndy Richter on Late Night’s decline, “Dancing With the Stars,” and new mediaComedy veteran and longtime Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter joins Mixed Signals for an existentially funny conversation about surviving three decades in entertainment. Max and Ben ask Andy about how he became late night’s most adaptable performer, whether he ever worried about becoming “the next Ed McMahon,” and why acting work has become so elusive in Hollywood. Andy also talks about the decline of late night as a cultural force, and how “Dancing With the Stars” accidentally turned him into a TikTok phenomenon.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.co...
2025-12-1242 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDavid Remnick on 100 years of the New Yorker, Netflix stardom, and why Trump was late to meet himThe New Yorker’s longtime editor-in-chief David Remnick joins Mixed Signals for a candid conversation about a new Netflix documentary about the magazine, and the New Yorker’s past, present, and uncertain future. Max and Ben ask Remnick how a century-old institution adapts to the digital age, and about what he’s learned from nearly three decades on the job. Remnick also reflects on magazine subscriptions models, Max's reporting about who should take his job , and why he’s grateful he never joined Twitter.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media ...
2025-12-0544 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaTrump’s war on public media, with PBS CEO Paula KergerPaula Kerger, the chief executive of America’s public broadcaster, joins Mixed Signals at a moment when public broadcasting is facing its most existential threat in decades. Max and Ben ask her about the political onslaught from the Trump administration and Congress, and what losing federal support will mean for hundreds of local stations. Kerger makes the case for kids’ programming, and spars with Ben about the relevance of broadcast television in the first place.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more from Think w...
2025-11-2835 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCan the Supreme Court keep its secrets? With Jodi Kantor of the New York TimesNew York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor joins Mixed Signals to explain how she’s revealed the secrets of internal deliberations behind the ceremony and black robes of the US Supreme Court. Max and Ben ask whether the court is actually leaking more, how newer justices are reshaping its public face, and what Kantor has learned about the culture of secrecy and power inside a long-impenetrable institution. She also reflects on the post–#MeToo media landscape and the fracturing of “factual consensus.”
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletter...
2025-11-2139 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDerek Thompson on why everything is becoming television, and whether democracy can survive itIs television the final form of all media? Derek Thompson, the co-author of Abundance, podcaster, and Atlantic writer joins Mixed Signals to explain what he sees as the forces behind what Ben and Max keep observing: The way in which podcasts and other forms of journalism appear to be getting their largest audience in an endless, passive feed of videos first observed by analysts of 20th century television. Derek discusses all that as well as his own turn toward independent media, and his personal pivot to video.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday ne...
2025-11-1451 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaGQ Editor Will Welch on masculinity, celebrities, and staying cool as he agesWill Welch is the global editorial director of GQ, and has been the editor-in-chief of its US operation since 2019. On this week’s Mixed Signals, Welch talks to Ben and Max about how the magazine plans to address men amid the prominence of the manosphere, the value in covering niche subcultures, and how the parties thrown by the magazine operate as content creation mechanisms. Welch also talks about how he works with celebrities, praising Robert Pattinson as a more creative collaborator than he’s used to.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/ne...
2025-11-0744 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaKen Burns on the future of PBS, the new age of media, and why documentaries will outlast TikTokKen Burns has been telling the story of America through his entire career with genre-defining documentaries on the Civil War, the Vietnam War, and now the American Revolution. This week, Ben and Max bring on the renowned documentarian to talk about his latest series, the parallels he sees between America’s founding moment and today’s media environment, and what we can learn from our history. They also discuss what he makes of the Trump administration’s cuts on PBS, and – after spending 10 meticulous years making a 12-hour documentary – his take on short form video and talk podcasts like this one.
2025-10-3144 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaThe inside story of Sydney Sweeney's 'Great Jeans' — and why American Eagle ignored crisis commsAmerican Eagle’s summer campaign with Sydney Sweeney blew up in ways no one could’ve imagined – but chief marketing officer, Craig Brommers, knew they were going to hit a cultural nerve. This week, Ben and Max bring on the AE CMO to give us an inside look into the “Great Jeans” campaign, what he made of the controversy that surrounded it, and how Donald Trump and JD Vance boosted their sales. They also discuss how marketing today is like running an entertainment company, why he ignored the advice of what he calls the “crisis communication industrial complex,” and whether their...
2025-10-2442 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaGovernor JB Pritzker on Chicago, ICE, and the information war with Trump’s White HouseChicago is either a war zone quickly spiraling out of control, or a peaceful city under siege by an overreaching federal government. It all depends on who you ask — and which channel they watch. This week, Ben and Max bring on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to talk about how he’s navigating a communications crisis and a messaging battle against the Trump White House in the new media landscape. They also talk about how conservative media is shaping the situation on the ground, what he thinks of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s trolling approach to Trump, and whether we should...
2025-10-1749 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaAlison Roman on cookbooks, food influencers, and the surprising way AI is changing her recipesAlison Roman was one of digital media’s first food stars – she’s had recipes go viral since 2018 and an infamous ‘cancellation’ in 2020. Now, with her latest cookbook, Something From Nothing, she’s trying to move away from life on the Internet. This week, Ben and Max bring on the chef and author to talk about food media, the value of a physical cookbook in a digital world, and how AI is influencing her recipes. They also talk about why cooking, and her new book, are the ‘antithesis of the Internet.’
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter...
2025-10-1049 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaBlackbird Spyplane’s Jonah Weiner on Substack, resisting selling out, and Obama’s pants legacyBlackbird Spyplane, a style and culture newsletter, launched in 2020 as one of the early adopters and success stories on Substack. This week, Ben and Max bring on co-author and longtime magazine journalist, Jonah Weiner, to talk about how the newsletter has evolved, how it changed his marriage, and why he’s ‘grossed out’ by affiliate links. They also talk about if he wants to expand the business further, and why Obama epitomizes ‘the state of the art of dad pants.’
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more from Thi...
2025-10-0349 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCan MS survive without NBC? Inside CEO Mark Lazarus’ efforts to save cable’s great brandsMSNBC and 10 other television channels, from CNBC to Golf Channel, are splitting from NBC over the next several weeks to form a new digital-focused, publicly traded company called Versant. In his first interview about the new “SpinCo,” Ben and Max talk to CEO Mark Lazarus about how he envisions the company will operate, how he wants to grow each of the brands, and what independent outlets he’s looking to acquire. They also discuss how he looks at MSNBC and progressive media’s place in the company and how he’s navigating the media environment under the current administration and Brenda...
2025-09-2654 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaMalcolm Gladwell’s theories on podcasting, America, and Joe RoganMalcolm Gladwell is a man of many theories – he’s made a career of it through his books and podcasts through Pushkin Industries. This week, Ben and Max bring on the author and Revisionist History host to get his current theories about the state of podcasting, how that industry can extend your career, and why he’s betting on narrative shows when everyone else is running towards chat shows. They also discuss his take on Joe Rogan as a “tightly muscled possum,” and why he’s skeptical of the power of the internet and optimistic about America.
Sign up for...
2025-09-1954 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow AI is reshaping media, with Google’s VP of marketing, Josh SpanierThis week, a special episode featuring Josh Spanier, VP of marketing at Google, who you might recognize from our branded segments. In this sponsored episode, Ben asks Josh about how Google thinks about advertising, how he’s navigated the technological changes in that space, and if AI is going to homogenize all of the ads we see. Josh also answers some listener questions about how advertisers work with creators and what the biggest blind spots in marketing are today. This episode is partner content presented by Think with Google.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: http...
2025-09-1237 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow to be elite in the age of populism, with the FT’s Roula KhalafThe Financial Times is the paper for business and world leaders, and comes with a hefty subscription price of $45/month. But what does it mean to serve the elite in a growing age of populism, and what are the consequences of high quality journalism only being available to the 1%? This week, Ben and Max bring on the editor of the FT, Roula Khalaf, to talk about the paper’s position in a populist world, who it ultimately serves, and the surprising success that older FT journalists have had on social media. They also discuss the ways the paper is ex...
2025-09-0543 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow media drove America crazy, with Thomas Chatterton WilliamsFive years since the start of the pandemic and the racial reckoning post-George Floyd, we’re still seeing the effects that 2020 had on culture and politics. This week, Ben and Max bring on The Atlantic staff writer, Thomas Chatterton Williams, to talk about how we can trace Donald Trump’s re-election to that summer, the role that media played in fueling the right-wing backlash, and how his experience on social media at the time spawned his latest book, Summer of Our Discontent. They also discuss the criticism of the book, if leftist illiberalism can really be to blame for the...
2025-08-2946 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDon Lemon on Elon Musk, Chris Cuomo, and why YouTube is better than CNNAfter his dramatic breakup with CNN and failed partnership with Elon Musk’s X, Don Lemon now has almost 800,000 subscribers on YouTube. This week, Ben and Max bring on the broadcaster-turned-streamer to discuss what he’s learned in the transition to new media, the latest on his legal battle with Musk, and if there’s a place for centrists on YouTube. They also get his take on his former TV “friend,” Chris Cuomo, his thoughts on corporations “bending the knee” to the administration, and why he believes he’ll eventually make more money on YouTube than he did at CNN.
Sign...
2025-08-2239 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaMark Cuban on AI in politics, running for president (or not), and why he hates the media businessMark Cuban is everywhere – and famously accessible. But what might be called overexposure in a previous era is now a strength in a fragmented media world, to the point that many people want him to run for president in 2028. This week, Ben and Max bring on the former Shark Tank “shark” and former majority-owner of the Dallas Mavericks to talk about how he predicted today’s media landscape in 1995, why he hates the media business, and why he thinks AI is the biggest threat to media and politics. They also discuss if he’ll actually run in 2028 and which Democratic...
2025-08-1546 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaPablo Torre on ESPN, investigating LeBron, and becoming the New York Times' first 'creator'Pablo Torre was one of ESPN’s rising stars — a fixture on shows like PTI and Around the Horn. But now he’s building something outside the machine. This week, Ben and Max bring on the host of Pablo Torre Finds Out to talk about leaving ESPN, launching his own show with Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media, and how it recently became part of The Athletic under The New York Times. They also discuss how Torre has broken major stories on his show — including scoops involving Bill Belichick, LeBron James, and the NFL — and how he hopes to reshape the...
2025-08-081h 03
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaEmily Maitlis on Epstein, Prince Andrew, and why American journalists can’t do interviewsEmily Maitlis got one of the biggest scoops in the Epstein story when she interviewed Prince Andrew about his involvement in 2019. She was then a longtime presenter for the BBC, but has since moved onto hosting one of the UK’s top podcasts, The News Agents. This week, Ben and Max bring on the British broadcaster turned podcaster about how she thinks of her new medium, if it affects the kind of journalism she does, and if she could still get a Prince Andrew-level interview on a podcast. They also discuss the reignited media attention around Epstein, why everyone is...
2025-08-0152 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaScott Galloway on money, marketing, and masculinityScott Galloway has become ubiquitous in the new media world – he hosts 6 podcasts and counting – and he’s emerged as a voice for an underserved audience of young men on the left. This week, Ben and Max talk to the Pivot co-host about how he turned a career in marketing into a new kind of media stardom, how much money his podcasts make him, and why he’s become so vocal about masculinity. They also talk about how podcasts will become the new target for political campaigns and which Democrats are calling him up in anticipation of the 2028 election.
Si...
2025-07-2544 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDirector Ari Aster on ‘the movie that Twitter wrote’Ari Aster, the filmmaker behind Hereditary and Midsommar, is out with a new movie today called Eddington. The new film is a modern Western placed in the height of lockdown during the 2020 pandemic, where the real villain is digital media. This week, Ben and Max bring on the writer and director to talk about why he decided to make a film set during Covid when the rest of Hollywood is running in the other direction, how his relationship with social media led to Eddington, and how researching for the film made him more empathetic to conspiracy theorists. Plus, Ari...
2025-07-1845 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaWhy YouTube’s favorite doctor won’t stop talking about politicsDoctor Mike is a leading medical voice in digital media, with over 14 million subscribers on YouTube. This week, Ben and Max talk to YouTube’s favorite doctor about the role of medical experts online, why he thinks legacy media has failed to communicate medical information, and why he’s not afraid to be overtly political by calling out RFK Jr. and the current administration. Plus, a helpful reminder for everyone, including Max, on why you should have a primary care physician.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For mor...
2025-07-1144 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaThe secret to Zohran Mamdani’s winning media strategy is simpler than you thinkZohran Mamdani, until recently a little-known lawmaker, surprised New Yorkers by winning the Democratic primary for mayor last week. He broke out through vertical video on social media in ways that few political candidates have been able to pull off. This week, Ben and Max talk to the candidate’s media team, Rebecca Katz, founder of the political ad agency Fight, and Morris Katz (no relation), the lead media strategist for the campaign. They get the behind-the-scenes scoop on how viral videos like “Halalflation” came about, why Mamdani’s videos worked, and what future political campaigns can learn from his succ...
2025-07-0347 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaSteve Inskeep on NPR cuts, Iran, and radio’s place in the podcast eraSteve Inskeep has one of the most recognizable names and voices in the country, greeting millions of Americans every morning since the 2000s. This week, Ben and Max bring on the Morning Edition host to talk about NPR’s battle with the Trump administration, the role of public radio in an overcrowded media landscape, and why local journalism matters more than ever. They also discuss the conflict in Iran – a place that Steve has been to 6 times as a reporter – and whether Americans are less informed about global politics now than they were at the start of his career.
...
2025-06-2743 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaIs journalism bad for The New York Times’ business? with CEO Meredith Kopit LevienThe New York Times has weathered incredible changes in the media industry throughout its 174 years – and it’s managed to stay on top through the recent shift to digital, topping podcast charts and becoming a daily app for games and cooking. This week, live from the Cannes Lions festival, Ben and Max are joined by CEO Meredith Kopit Levien to talk about how she keeps the company relevant, where journalism fits into the business, and how they’re navigating challenges like Trump and AI. They also ask her about acquiring The Athletic and Wordle, and what the Times might buy ne...
2025-06-2043 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaProfessional optimist Cleo Abram on tech’s bright futureCleo Abram left Vox and started her YouTube show, Huge If True, 3 years ago. Since then, the channel has grown to nearly 6 million subscribers and she’s become one of the most important tech journalists in the world. This week, Ben and Max talk to Cleo about why she started an optimistic show in an age of pessimism, the time she got space-sick in zero gravity, and how she navigates conversations with tech titans like Mark Zuckerberg and Jensen Huang.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more...
2025-06-1345 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaThe Great Rebundling — With Peter Kafka and Brian MorrisseyThe media industry has spent the last decade talking about its own decline — but where is it actually headed? This week on Mixed Signals, Ben kicks off a special three-part crossover with Peter Kafka of Channels and Brian Morrissey of The Rebooting. In part one of the conversation, the three discuss the future of media bundles, why everyone seems to be canceling and re-subscribing to streaming services, and whether Substack’s business model is sustainable. They also talk about selling ads as a solo operator, the false nostalgia for cable, and whether journalism is better — or just lonelier — outside of insti...
2025-06-1227 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaTop Chef’s Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons on how food ate mediaTop Chef, which is airing its 22nd season finale next week, has been shaping how we think and talk about food for the past 2 decades. This week, Ben and Max talk to Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, longtime judges since the first season, about how the show influenced the restaurant industry, how food media has changed, and why the show has gotten nicer over the years. And – they also share the social media food trends they hate the most.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media
For more from...
2025-06-0638 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaAdam Friedland on comedy, TV, and whether he’s the Joe Rogan of the leftAdam Friedland represents a new kind of comedian—one who rose up through podcasting and now hosts a late night-style weekly interview show… on YouTube. This week, Ben and Max bring on the comedian to talk about why he’s reviving a 1960s Dick Cavett-style talk show for the Internet, if podcasts have become too dumb, and whether he’s the long anticipated Joe Rogan of the left. They also talk about why he thinks phones are making people weirder, how Trump legitimized podcasting, and his fateful run-in with Swifties.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter...
2025-05-3034 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaChristiane Amanpour and Jamie Rubin on explaining the world — and podcasting with your exChristiane Amanpour has been on the front lines of global media since the 80s, while her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin, held top State Department jobs in the Clinton and Biden administrations. Now, with Jamie freshly out of the White House, they’ve come back together to make a podcast. This week, Ben and Max bring on the divorced couple to talk about why they decided to get into the digital media space now, what the role of media is in shaping foreign affairs, and how the information landscape has changed over their careers. They also talk about Jamie’s role in f...
2025-05-2339 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor Media'Substack isn’t cool,' gatekeepers are, and other strong opinions from tastemaker Chris BlackChris Black has gone from managing a pop-punk band to becoming a fashion-world insider, podcast host, and brand consultant for labels like J. Crew and Thom Browne. This week, Ben and Max bring on the How Long Gone co-host to talk about building a cult hit podcast, the surprising comeback of media gatekeepers in 2025, and why he still believes in the power of institutions – including a high-production video version of How Long Gone. Also: his thoughts on Substack fatigue — and what it was like to interview the guitarist of the Smiths.
Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday...
2025-05-1654 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaClay Travis on mixing sports and politics, his ‘pudding strike,’ and the billion-dollar bet on sports gamblingClay Travis started his career with a stunt on his blog involving a pudding strike and NFL streaming rights. From roots in new media, he founded OutKick, a conservative sports and politics site that Fox Corp acquired in 2021. This week, Ben and Max bring on the outspoken media entrepreneur to discuss how sports and conservative politics have become intertwined, how gambling and sports media became intertwined, and how to attract an audience of men. They also ask about his current role as a Fox News personality and his 11 interviews with Donald Trump. Plus, he and Max duke it out...
2025-05-0957 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaJen Psaki on her journey from politics to cable, what the Trump White House is doing right — and whether there was a Biden cover-upJen Psaki has gone from being a behind-the-scenes political staffer, to running the White House briefing room under President Joe Biden, to now hosting a primetime show on MSNBC. This week, Ben and Max bring on the former press secretary to talk about what it means to be a cable news host in 2025, how podcasts are changing how TV works, and what she thinks of the current administration’s press tactics. They also ask about the 2024 race — and what she makes of the idea that there was a cover-up of Biden’s health.
Sign up for...
2025-05-0244 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaEzra Klein on Trump, Sanity, and PodcastingEzra Klein is on a book tour — you may have heard his voice on some of your other favorite podcasts talking about Abundance. Today, Ben and Max also talk to The New York Times columnist and host… but you won’t hear anything about the book (so you’ll just have to buy it). Instead, they ask Ezra what he’s learned about the media and podcasting through this latest tour, how the “abundance” framework might apply to media, and if Trump will go after the press next. They also discuss how he’s become a rare media celebrity for liberals, wh...
2025-04-2548 min
Slate NewsWhat Next | Fed Up!Why Trump wants to ouster his own appointee, Jerome Powell, from the Fed chair—and why the rest of the world is rooting for Powell to stay put.Guest: Liz Hoffman, Semafor’s business and finance editor, host of Semafor’s World Economy Summit, and author of Crash Landing: The Inside Story of How the World’s Biggest Companies Survived an Economy on the Brink.Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your other favorite Slate podcasts...
2025-04-2330 min
Slate BusinessWhat Next | Fed Up!Why Trump wants to ouster his own appointee, Jerome Powell, from the Fed chair—and why the rest of the world is rooting for Powell to stay put.Guest: Liz Hoffman, Semafor’s business and finance editor, host of Semafor’s World Economy Summit, and author of Crash Landing: The Inside Story of How the World’s Biggest Companies Survived an Economy on the Brink.Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your other favorite Slate podcasts...
2025-04-2327 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaZeitgeist Genius Tina Brown on Meghan Markle, Vanity Fair and Whether We Still Need EditorsTina Brown has shaped the culture and captured the zeitgeist since she reinvented Vanity Fair and The New Yorker in the 1980s and 1990s. But now, she’s moved onto the digital media space with her Substack, Fresh Hell. This week, Ben and Max talk to the magazine icon about what she makes of the state of print media today, if we still need editors in a world filled with influencers, and what she thinks the future holds for her former employer, Condé Nast. They also talk about her gripes with our current “uncouth” culture, how we’ve all become “s...
2025-04-1847 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCan YouTube Debates Bring America Back Together? with Jubilee’s Jason Y. LeeIn a YouTube landscape filled with podcasts and talking heads, Jubilee Media’s wild debate videos stand apart: A doctor debates 20 anti-vaxxers, Ben Shapiro debates 25 liberals, Pete Buttigieg debates 25 conservatives. But are these viral videos bringing a divided America back together or are they just profiting off of polarization? This week, Ben and Max bring on Jubilee’s founder and CEO, Jason Y. Lee, to talk about his vision for “radical empathy” for quite extreme views and how even dumb debates – between flat earthers and “round earthers,” for one – can be productive. They also discuss why the Biden White House censored p...
2025-04-1151 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaPiers Morgan On Going Independent, Meghan Markle, and Why He Likes Pouring Gasoline On the FireSince the 80s, Piers Morgan has ridden massive changes in the media industry, jumping from print to cable to, more recently, YouTube. This week on Mixed Signals, the TV star joins Ben and (subbing in for Max) Semafor’s head of comms, Meera Pattni, to discuss how he’s building his Uncensored brand, what he likes about being a YouTuber, and if he misses anything about legacy media. They also talk about how some journalists take themselves too seriously, why having fun is important even in news media, and his views on Trump’s term so far.
2025-04-0449 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaNick Denton’s Surprising Return, Courtesy of Elon Musk, Denmark, and Chinese CarsNick Denton, the founder of Gawker, more or less disappeared from the Internet in 2017, after a public legal battle with Hulk Hogan (backed by Peter Thiel) resulted in the site being shut down… That is until earlier this month, when Denton suddenly reappeared on X, tweeting over 200 times over the course of days. In his first podcast appearance since his recent return, Ben and Max talk to the former digital media mogul about why he’s come back after almost a decade of relative anonymity and what he makes of this current media moment. They also discuss his new AI v...
2025-03-2841 min
Slate NewsA Tea Party for the Democrats?Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are holding packed rallies on their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. The energy is there, but what is the message and how could it translate to a win for the down-and-out Democratic Party?Guest: David Weigel, national political reporter at Semafor.Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever yo...
2025-03-2530 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaSecrets of YouTube with CEO Neal MohanYouTube is undeniably the dominant media platform of the moment, and it’s increasingly the go-to place for what used to be an audio-only medium: podcasts. Last month, the company announced that podcasts on YouTube rack up 1 billion viewers a month. This week, Ben and Max bring on CEO Neal Mohan to talk about how YouTube has become the epicenter of culture, how the company is thinking about podcasts and TV, and who Neal thinks its biggest competitor is. They also discuss why YouTube’s content policing guidelines have changed since 2020 and how he plans to manage their recent run...
2025-03-2144 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDoes Mass Culture Still Matter? And How Snoop Dogg Mastered Commerce, with Frank CooperIn this moment of media fragmentation and the rise of niche communities, are there still ways to reach mass audiences? This week, Ben and Max bring on legendary marketing executive, Frank Cooper, who’s always been at the center of big cultural shifts from his time at Def Jam in the 90s, AOL in the 2000s, and BuzzFeed in the 2010s. Throughout his career, he’s also been seen as the culture translator for big corporations, as the CMO at PepsiCo and the CMO of Visa. They talk about Frank’s unique career, who and what he thinks still moves...
2025-03-1445 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaInside the Independent Creator World, with Substack’s Hamish McKenzie – and Nayeema RazaThis week, we get an inside look at the independent creator model of media with a two-part conversation: First, Ben and Max interview Substack co-founder and chief writing officer, Hamish McKenzie, about the platform’s appeal for the resistance on the left, their move into video, and why they turned down Elon Musk’s offer to buy them a few years ago. Then, former Mixed Signals co-host and newly independent creator, Nayeema Raza, joins to talk about her foray into the new media landscape, what she’s learned about the space, and why her show, Smart Girl Dumb Questions, isn’t...
2025-03-0738 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaNew York Times Editor Joe Kahn, Podcaster Megyn Kelly and More on the Collapse of TrustToday, we have a special bonus episode: Ben and Max break down the most interesting moments from the Innovating to Restore Trust in News summit held last week in Washington, D.C. They discuss Gallup’s findings on the worsening trust in news media, New York Times executive editor Joe Kahn’s acknowledgment that Donald Trump is good for business, and FCC chair Brendan Carr’s plans to go after liberal media. Plus, Ben responds to Megyn Kelly’s take on what she called a “tense interview.” Is this the start of a heated podcast feud? Maybe, if it helps our ra...
2025-03-0540 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaWhy Netflix Is “Obsessed” With Winning an Oscar, with Puck’s Matt BelloniThe 97th Academy Awards are this weekend, giving us a glimpse into the past and future of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. For an insider’s take on the state of the business and how the Academy works, Ben and Max bring on Matt Belloni, founding partner of Puck and host of The Town podcast. They talk about Netflix’s Oscars strategy with Emilia Pérez, the disconnect between the Academy’s interests and what happens on stage, and why the Oscars still matter in 2025. They also discuss if Hollywood will take a rightward turn with the culture, Matt’s own car...
2025-02-2850 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow Fox Is Embracing the Creator Economy, with Red Seat’s Chris BalfeThis week, a big story of media consolidation – and one that devoted Mixed Signals listeners would have seen coming: Fox announced that it has acquired Red Seat Ventures, the digital media company that produces and markets the podcasts of several big names in conservative media, including Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, and Bill O’Reilly. Ben and Max bring on Red Seat’s co-founder, Chris Balfe, to talk about the acquisition, how Piers Morgan brokered the deal, how Fox Corp. will deal with empowered creators, and what it all means for the future of media.Sign up for Semafo...
2025-02-1450 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaInside the Making of a Super Bowl AdThe Super Bowl, the biggest single media event in the US, is upon us. And the Chiefs and the Eagles aren’t the only ones with a lot on the line: advertisers have staked their reputations – and for Instacart’s Laura Jones, her job – on 30 seconds of airtime this Sunday. This week, Ben and Max bring on the Instacart CMO to talk about what it takes to make a Super Bowl ad, the thinking behind their Marvel-style approach, and her high stakes bet in one of the only remaining mass audience moments in media. They also talk about how she got 9...
2025-02-0740 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow to Make Money in Media, with Kara SwisherKara Swisher has been a reporter, an editor, a founder, and is now one of the most successful podcasters in the world. This week, Ben and Max bring on the host of On with Kara Swisher and co-host of the popular tech podcast Pivot to talk about the business of media in 2025. She talks unabashedly about her own income, and whether other journalists can and should break out of big media companies to build brands like hers. She’s also got unexpectedly kind words for how Rupert Murdoch – “Uncle Satan” as she calls him – is handling the current media moment, an...
2025-01-3146 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow the Creator Economy Has Transformed AdvertisingThis week, we look at digital fragmentation through the eyes of a transformed marketing industry – because to really see where media is headed, you have to follow the money. Ben and Max bring on CMO of Verizon and former Twitter CMO, Leslie Berland, to talk about how creators have changed marketing and what she thinks is coming next. They also talk about how Twitter and social media changed the brains of the people who worked there and how advertisers avoid cringe when chasing memes.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or...
2025-01-2440 min
Slate NewsDid Democracy Die in Darkness?Last October, Amazon CEO and billionaire owner of the Washington Post Jeff Bezos swooped in to halt the publication of a Kamala Harris endorsement from the editorial board. Yesterday, he appeared in the front row at Trump’s second inauguration. The paper’s hemorrhaging subscribers—and laying off dozens of staff members—but it seems like the internal unrest has just begun.Guest: Maxwell Tani, journalist covering media for Semafor.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe...
2025-01-2121 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDavos, the Inauguration, and Media’s Place in the New Global Order, with Ian BremmerAs the second inauguration of Donald Trump approaches and global leaders head to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, we at Mixed Signals want to know: what will media’s role be in an increasingly unstable era? And will it bring more order or disorder for global politics? To discuss this, Ben and Max bring on political risk advisor Ian Bremmer of the Eurasia Group. They talk about how global leaders are engaging with new media and if digital media is shaping global politics, or vice versa. They also talk about Ian’s run-in with Elon Musk in 2022, and...
2025-01-1742 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow Technology Will Shape Media in 2025, with Jessica LessinThis year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased an array of new gadgets, screens, and robots – but will any of them impact how and what we consume? Or will the real changes come from Washington, where the big tech companies from Meta to Amazon seem to be targeting their attention? To discuss all the ways that tech and tech leaders will impact the media industry this year and beyond, Ben and Max talk to Jessica Lessin, founder and CEO of The Information. And Max hits the ground running with his first episode as co-host, as Taniacs rejoice.Naye...
2025-01-1042 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow Dating Apps Survive in the Age of Digital Exhaustion, with Tinder’s Melissa HobleyWe’re kicking off 2025 with a foray into dating apps — and an announcement of Nayeema’s next venture (not a dating app but a new show called Smart Girl Dumb Questions). But first: Today’s episode of Mixed Signals merges Ben and Nayeema’s interests in CMO podcasts and dating apps, respectively. Tinder CMO Melissa Hobley joins us to talk about digital exhaustion, the reality of rebranding and the political license that comes with a GenZ audience. Max Tani joins to debrief, and next week, he’ll take the baton as co-host for the next era of Mixed Signals!Be sure...
2025-01-0346 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaOzy Founder Gets Prison Time: What Digital Media’s Most Notorious Scandal Says About the BusinessOn Monday, Carlos Watson, the founder of Ozy Media, was sentenced to nearly 10 years – 116 months – in prison for fraud. Today, in Ben’s first extensive conversation about it since Watson’s arrest, he and Nayeema discuss Ozy, the scandal, and what it reveals about the broader digital media and advertising business. They bring on Madison and Wall analyst and former GroupM Global President for Business Intelligence, Brian Wieser, to talk about why marketers and investors were duped by Watson, what changed in the aftermath, and what the next digital media scam might be. After the conversation, Max Tani joins them to...
2024-12-2054 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow YouTube Became TV – with Colin and SamirYouTube and podcasts have come fully of age as dominant forms of media, and legacy media companies are frantic to buy their way in. Ben and Nayeema tackle this with Colin and Samir, two veteran YouTubers and media thinkers who have spent years helping their peers figure out digital media. They talk about this latest rise of YouTube, the reality of revenue-backed creative, and what legacy media gets wrong about digital creators. It’s a conversation so compelling that… Nayeema reveals she might try to jump ship into that world herself…?! After the conversation, Max Tani joins to debrief and of...
2024-12-1356 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaElon Musk Is Today’s Ted Turner, and Legacy Media Is “Scared”Mixed Signals is back for Season 2, and this season we’re following the money in the changing media business. What happens now, after the clear win by podcasts and YouTubers in the election? Is it the end of legacy media, for real this time? And can advertisers keep up with audiences’ evolving media diet? To kick off this conversation, Ben and Nayeema bring on author, New Yorker writer, and media savant, Ken Auletta, who’s been examining the industry since the 90s. They talk about if and how this moment feels different from previous disruptions, how Elon Musk is reshap...
2024-12-0647 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaPost-Election: Escapism, Resistance, and CheeseburgersThe 2024 election cycle is finally over – so, what’s coming to your screens next? Today, Ben and Nayeema dissect what the media learned from 2024 and where we go from here. They first chat to Max Tani about the news media, and then sit down with Ankler Media’s Janice Min – who has been reporting on (and embedded in) Hollywood culture for decades. The conversation tackles whether politics and art stay linked or divorce, if Donald Trump will wake up “wokeism” again or if Americans will turn to escapism … and why TV is chasing the “gourmet cheeseburger.”Importantly: This is our last e...
2024-11-081h 03
Slate NewsWhat Next: What to Watch While Watching Election ResultsThe worst part about the election being tomorrow is knowing that we (almost definitely) won’t know the results tomorrow.Guests:Ari Berman, voting rights reporter for Mother JonesKadia Goba, political reporter for SemaforIsaac Saul, founder of the Tangle newsletterWant more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign u...
2024-11-0432 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaElection 2024: What You’re NOT SeeingIn a noisy election cycle it’s hard to find signals — even of the mixed variety. Today, Ben and Nayeema sit down with reporters David Weigel and Max Tani to parse what you’re not seeing, from the “insane” tv ads at a Pittsburgh Steelers game and the print ads in an Arizona nail salon, to an unpublished Washington Post endorsement that was quashed by Jeff Bezos. One of these things may decide the election, and another could shape the blamegame that follows.If you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsigna...
2024-11-011h 01
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaIs Fox News Winning the Election? Inside the Network with Nate FredmanWith recent appearances from Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, JD Vance and Tim Walz, it looks like Fox is dominating this election. Ben and Nayeema investigate the channel’s durability despite massive lawsuits, MeToo scandals, and star exits from Tucker Carlson, Bill O’Reilly and Megyn Kelly. To go inside the machine, they talk to former “O’Reilly Factor” and “The Five” producer Nate Fredman (who spent nearly 20 years at the network) about what makes Fox tick — and stick.Stick around for Ben and Nayeema’s debrief with Max Tani, who wrote about Fox this week. Fox News insiders, send you...
2024-10-2549 min
Slate NewsWhat Next: Kamala’s Bid for Black Men’s VotesThough Black voters remain a dependable bloc for the Democrats, the Trump campaign has been attempting to make in-roads with Black men. Can Kamala Harris shore up her coalition in this tight race?Guest: Kadia Goba, political reporter at Semafor.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com...
2024-10-1730 min
Slate Race and IdentityWhat Next: Kamala’s Bid for Black Men’s VotesThough Black voters remain a dependable bloc for the Democrats, the Trump campaign has been attempting to make in-roads with Black men. Can Kamala Harris shore up her coalition in this tight race?Guest: Kadia Goba, political reporter at Semafor.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com...
2024-10-1728 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaMedia Bias from the Middle East to Manhattan, with James BennetBen and Nayeema take on the critique of bias in the media with The Economist's James Bennet —a conversation that always seems timely, but especially so right now, weeks away from a US election and with an expanding conflict in the Middle East. To help make sense of what we see as media bias and the moral questions that journalists grapple with every day, James shares his experience as the Jerusalem Bureau Chief at The New York Times. He continued to be at the fulcrum of this discourse when he was forced to resign as the Times Editorial Page ed...
2024-10-1155 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHow AI Cures Writer’s BlockBen and Nayeema tackle the emerging AI battle between machines and humans, a topic that was glaringly absent from this week’s Veep debates but is at the center of everything from the dockworkers’ strike to Hollywood’s grand plans. To figure out how long they and the creative and media elite have job security, they speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright Ayad Akhtar whose latest play, McNEAL, wrestles with AI and ethics.And for Blindspots, Max spills on what film you need to see … before, um, the machines replace the filmmakers. NOTE: This episode d...
2024-10-0450 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCan Centrism Go Viral? With The Bulwark’s Tim MillerBen and Nayeema discuss a reporter’s digital dalliance with RFK. Jr, and what it says — and doesn’t — about journalism. Then they bring on Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark Podcast, and a star of the anti-MAGA movement. They ask: Is the hot new space in the media, and on YouTube, in the political center? Finally, Max joins in for Blindspots to get quick takes on VP Harris’ decision to guest on the All The Smoke podcast.If you have a tip or a comment, email us mixedsignals@semafor.comFind us on X: @semaforben...
2024-09-2753 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaA Safe Space for CEOs (and Politicians?) with All-In’s Jason CalacanisOn the heels of Mark Zuckerberg’s live interview with the Acquired podcast, hosted at a packed Chase Center in San Francisco, Ben and Nayeema explore the icy relationship between traditional media and big tech. Why are Silicon Valley’s CEOs more likely to be found gabbing on a podcast about their fashion choices than quoted in the New York Times? When did the media and tech breakup, who is to blame, and who wins and loses when hard questions are optional?To answer these questions, they talk to a podcast host, creator, and investor who h...
2024-09-2051 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaIt’s a Man Eat Dog World, with Food Critic Pete WellsAfter a quick review of what moderator lessons and memes will stick from this week’s debate, Ben and Nayeema turn to New York Times reporter and former restaurant critic Pete Wells to explore the fight between the new wave of influencers and the old guard of gatekeepers in food. On the menu: the health hazards of criticism, how celebrity chefs and TikTokers altered the power of his seat and whether diversifying food reviews in the midst of the culture wars were “DEI,” “virtue signaling” or simply — as Pete reveals — an organic evolution. Also: if, unlike immigrants in Ohio, he’s ever tast...
2024-09-1342 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaThe Sports Boom — Football, Pickleball, Tennis and, um, CricketIf you feel surrounded by sports on all sides, losing the battle to keep up with new leagues (hello pro pickleball?), athlete-influencers post-game podcasts, and who’s getting paid what, you’re not alone. Sports is swallowing media, and swallowing our lives. This week, Ben and Nayeema explore whether the sports boom is driven by culture or by commerce, and if this boom might be a bubble. To help figure it out, they bring on John Skipper, former President of ESPN and current founder and CEO of Meadowlark Media who makes a compelling case of Ame...
2024-09-0650 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCan Kamala Keep It Up? With Tommy VietorBen and Nayeema tape from the Democratic National Convention, breaking down the positive vibes, rise of the credentialed TikTok creator and what Trump is up to on the outside of this bubble. Tommy Vietor joins them to discuss what sway he and his fellow Pod Save America hosts have with Obama, why the DNC is tuning out Gaza protesters, and whether the party’s newfound unity around Kamala Harris can last through November 5. Finally, fresh off a GQ photoshoot, Max joins the podcast to talk style and the viability of a Chick-fil-A streaming service. If you have a t...
2024-08-2356 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaHacks, Olympics, and “Boomscrolling”Fresh off digital detoxes, Ben and Nayeema plug back in to a moment of Olympics patriotism and to a patriotic (?) American media that is refusing to report on the substance of a foreign hacking campaign that targeted former President Trump.This episode digs into the irony of the media’s glee at the 2016 DNC hack – and the careful treatment of the Trump campaign hack of today. Eight years ago Wikileaks dumped a trove of emails before the public, leading to revelations about Hillary Clinton’s Goldman Sachs speeches and John Podesta’s secret to a great...
2024-08-1647 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCOVID Special: What the Media Got Wrong, and Right, with Dr. Anthony FauciCOVID-19 feels like ancient history, but its effects linger — including what the pandemic did to citizens’ trust in media. Ben and Nayeema discuss the distrust that came out of the coronavirus pandemic and dig into the role that the media played. They talk to the man who became the center of media scrutiny during the peak of the crisis: Dr. Anthony Fauci, who recently came out with his memoir, On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service. Then for Blindspots, they check in with Donald McNeil Jr., the health and science reporter behind The Wisdom of Plagues, whose voice becam...
2024-08-0249 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaCan Kamala Hold On? With Veep EP Frank RichIn the flurry of the brat phenomenon, Nayeema and Ben debate whether Kamala Harris can surf memes all the way to election day and how “childless cat lady” is only expanding the K-hive. They bring on Frank Rich, the executive producer of the hit shows Veep and Succession, to get his notes on an election month that’s stranger than fiction, and ask whether an idealist show like The West Wing could be made today.Finally, Max Tani joins for Blindspots to discuss RFK’s phone-free farming program for the Lexapro-addled, Adderall-popping American populace — plus: why Americans are hiding...
2024-07-261h 04
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaTrump, the Man's Man at the RNC, AKA the Happiest Place on EarthBen and Nayeema discuss reactions to the attempted assassination of former President Trump – from a cautious media, an internet in overdrive and a Republican National Convention that proved surprisingly welcoming. Then, they turn to the undercurrent of the RNC: the campaign for the hearts of American men, via the UFC, Hulk Hogan, and broader “manosphere.” Semafor Political Reporter Kadia Goba also joins to talk about Trump’s appeal to Black men, particularly the iconic athletes of the 80s (you’ll hear from Mike Tyson and Lawrence Taylor). And, of course, Max Tani fills our blind spots … with a dog interview an...
2024-07-1955 min
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaIs Sex Political? And Will Biden — and Kamala — Survive the Vibe Shift?After a brief assessment of President Biden’s strategy to shut down his critics, Ben and Nayeema move on to the larger culture and gender wars that will define the 2024 election, regardless of who ends up on the Democratic ticket. They look at recent upheavals of a media-fueled myth that women can “have it all” and dig into how trends of trad wives, polyamory and “hot celibacy summer” pierce that mythology, as does the conservative Project 2025.Then they connect with Lindsay Peoples, editor-in-chief of The Cut, to discuss vibe shifts, the politicization of gender roles and whether the publication is putting...
2024-07-121h 01
Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaDid The Media Cover Up Biden’s Condition? And 13.5 Other Conspiracy TheoriesHow did the media miss the biggest story in American politics? Many journalists were shocked by Joe Biden’s decline, showcased on a debate stage. Did we ask the wrong questions, or fall for White House spin? Or did we, as Republicans claim, engage in a cover-up? In this emergency pod, Nayeema, Ben and Max separate conspiracy from reality and reasonable reporting questions falling out of everything from “Weekend at Bernie’s theories” to Jill Biden’s role. They take you inside the media and party machinery bringing spicy takes from top editors and other media elite. Finally, th...
2024-07-0247 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaWhen Biden Lost It & Nate Silver's BetWhere were you when Joe Biden lost the debate to Trump? Max was in the CNN Spin Room, Nayeema watched with a cabal of crypto bros and Ben was at home scrolling X. They discuss the moment the debate was decided (9:22 or 9:23 EST) — and who gets to call it. Then, Ben and Nayeema turn to an interview with political statistician and professional gambler Nate Silver to talk election prediction, Biden’s age, and why Nate’s new Silver Bulletin model gives Trump a 66% chance of winning the election in November. Finally, Nayeema makes us eat our spinach with a q...
2024-06-2857 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaTikTok Ban, Journalists Have Ethics?!, and the Gods of CannesDespite Washington moves to ban TikTok, the company and influencers in the South of France seem to be in denial. Ben, Nayeema, and Max explore conspiracies around TikTok and the company's future, particularly if its most recent Tokfluencer, Donald Trump, wins in November. Then they turn to the saga of Will Lewis, CEO of The Washington Post, unpacking why everyone (in media) is talking about it and what it means for the bigger picture of journalistic ethics. Max brings blind spots from the worlds of short-short fashion and political video editing, and Nayeema and Ben talk about how we...
2024-06-2137 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaHunter Biden Conspiracies, Coverage of Gaza and Sudan & Got Raw Milk?In the wake of Hunter Biden’s conviction, Ben and Nayeema revisit the media’s history of covering the President’s son and the “October surprise” of his infamous laptop. Then they turn to the challenge of covering foreign wars, including Gaza, and talk with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, about her critique that the media is ignoring the crisis in Sudan.Max joins to share a couple blindspots: The politicized rise of drinking raw milk, and the state of Trump’s private jet.Drop us a line if you’ve got a tip: mix...
2024-06-1453 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaBrits vs Biden, Linklater on Sexless Cinema & the Song of SummerBen and Nayeema dissect the battle brewing between American newsrooms and President Biden, wondering whether the Brits are to blame. Then they call up Richard Linklater, famed director of films including Boyhood, Dazed and Confused and, his latest, Hit Man, to contemplate whether it was Marvel, #MeToo or something else that took sex out of the cinema. Also: Max tries to open our hearts and minds to a faith-based Trump ballad, and Ben vows to improve Amtrak, with the help of unlimited LinkedIn messaging. Drop us a line if you’ve got a tip: mixedsignals@sema...
2024-06-0744 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaMedia Circus of the Century, BuzzFeed Buzz, and Sleeping with Your PhoneIn our first episode, Ben and Nayeema catch New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman outside the courthouse where a jury just convicted former President Donald Trump. But will the media circus change anyone’s mind? Then they sit down with Vivek Ramaswamy to talk about his plans for BuzzFeed, following his purchase of 8.4% of the company. Finally, Semafor Media Editor Max Tani joins the show to discuss media blindspots and defend phones at bedtime. Drop us a line if you’ve got a tip: mixedsignals@semafor.comFind us on X...
2024-05-3144 minMixed Signals from Semafor MediaIntroducing: Mixed Signals from Semafor MediaThe truth about modern media — from inside the machine. Every Friday starting May 31, journalists Ben Smith and Nayeema Raza pull back the curtain on the week’s key stories, revealing how money, access, culture and politics shape everything you read, watch, and hear.Sign up for the Sunday night blockbuster newsletter from Semafor Media: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media Or drop us a line if you’ve got thoughts on the show, or a tip for a story: mixedsignals@semafor.comRead more from Ben on Semafor: https://www.semafor.com/author/ben-smi...
2024-05-2301 min
She Podcasts401 Beach WeatherPodfest discussion, She Podcasts Unplugged, poor air quality, reality TV drama and more! Jess and Elsie talk about Podfest. As a reminder, attendees who had tickets to the Washington DC event can attend Podfest as well as the one-day “She Podcasts Unplugged” which includes admission to the Sonic Bloom Awards that evening. They also discuss an intriguing panel idea titled "Ladies of Libsyn," featuring prominent women in the industry discussing their experiences as females in a male-dominated field. Moving on, they have a fascinating conversation about air quality. Jess is concerned about the haze and poor visibility affecting Delaware and...
2023-10-2546 minShe Podcasts401 Beach WeatherPodfest discussion, She Podcasts Unplugged, poor air quality, reality TV drama and more! Jess and Elsie talk about Podfest. As a reminder, attendees who had tickets to the Washington DC event can attend Podfest as well as the one-day “She Podcasts Unplugged” which includes admission to the Sonic Bloom Awards that evening. They also discuss an intriguing panel idea titled "Ladies of Libsyn," featuring prominent women in the industry discussing their experiences as females in a male-dominated field. Moving on, they have a fascinating conversation about air quality. Jess is concerned about the haze and poor visibility affecting Delaware and...
2023-10-2546 min
Slate Money“Traffic”: Ben Smith and the Death of the Social WebFelix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith to discuss his new book. They also break down Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News and the end of Buzzfeed News.In the Plus: A throwback to the olden days of blogging. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate...
2023-04-2945 min
Slate BusinessSlate Money: “Traffic”: Ben Smith and the Death of the Social WebFelix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith to discuss his new book. They also break down Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News and the end of Buzzfeed News.In the Plus: A throwback to the olden days of blogging. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate...
2023-04-2948 min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the futureWhy Ban TikTok?TikTok was banned on government agency devices in December; several schools and universities have banned it on their devices and wifi networks, and the governor of Texas unveiled a plan to ban it in the state. Can “Project Texas” stem the anti-TikTok tide? And would banning the app actually achieve…anything?Guest: Louise Matsakis, reporter for Semafor covering tech and ChinaHost: Lizzie O’LearyIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes...
2023-02-1024 min
Slate BusinessWhat Next TBD: Why Ban TikTok?TikTok was banned on government agency devices in December; several schools and universities have banned it on their devices and wifi networks, and the governor of Texas unveiled a plan to ban it in the state. Can “Project Texas” stem the anti-TikTok tide? And would banning the app actually achieve…anything?Guest: Louise Matsakis, reporter for Semafor covering tech and ChinaHost: Lizzie O’LearyIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on a...
2023-02-1027 min
The Broadcasters PodcastMeghan Markle Bashes and Buries Her Deal Or No Deal Start (ep.249)Meghan Markle (aka The Dutchess of Sussex) Says Working on Deal or No Deal Made Her Feel “Not Smart” saying “I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach knowing that I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage.” KOP looks into the questioned portrayal and the backlash. Meghan Markle Says Working on Deal or No Deal Made Her Feel “Not Smart”“I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach knowing that I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage.”https://www.harpersbazaa...
2022-10-2156 min