Shows
Podcast PerspectivesFrom Script to Success: Production Secrets from Trophy-Winning PodcastIn this powerhouse session presented by The Podglomerate's Chris Boniello and the New York Festivals Radio Awards, you'll hear directly from NYF Radio Awards-winning, chart-topping podcast teams from NPR, CBC, and Boston Globe Media. Hear stellar insights on how to pitch and plan a podcast series, what you should know about incorporating video into your production process, and the nitty-gritty of how to find and craft a story that will captivate audiences everywhere.
To find more about The Podglomerate:– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives– YouTube: https://www.yout...
2025-12-231h 04
Podcast PerspectivesThe Podcast Attribution Landscape: What Creators, Marketers, and Advertisers Need to Know in 2026When Spotify shut down Chartable in late 2024, it left a void in podcast attribution technology that the industry scrambled to fill. One year later, the dust has settled—and the new landscape looks dramatically different for podcasters, marketers, and advertisers.In this powerhouse session presented by The Podglomerate, you'll hear directly from Ilana Susnow (Head of Podcast Marketing and Audience Growth for Bloomberg Podcasts), Matt Shapo (Director of Digital Audio and Video at IAB), Cameron Hendrix (co-founder and CEO of Magellan AI), and Rebecca Dalby (VP of Demand at Triton Digital).Dive deep into today's podcast attribution ec...
2025-12-091h 01
Podcast PerspectivesHow to Level Up Your Podcast Monetization StrategyFrom sponsor dollars to listener loyalty, podcast ad reads can make or break your monetization strategy. But what separates an ad that gets renewed from one that gets dropped after a single campaign?In this exclusive – and free – fireside chat, discover the secrets of crafting successful ad reads that advertisers actually want to rebook with Alec Trunley (Brand Partnerships at RedCircle) and Dan Christo (COO at The Podglomerate). Alec helps top-tier advertisers scale host-read ads across hundreds of shows, and Dan has helped unlock over $2 million for The Podglomerate's monetization clients.This deep-dive session reveals the advertiser pers...
2025-11-2559 min
Podcast PerspectivesPodcast Predictions for 2026 from 22 Industry Experts2025 in Podcasting: A Year of Reckoning2025 was a year of big shifts and even bigger headlines. We saw companies close, new ventures launch, and familiar players rebrand or pivot. Video podcasts continued to grow, bringing shows to streaming platforms, theaters, and even the Golden Globes stage. Revenue models evolved, AI loomed large, and creators explored new ways to connect with audiences, from premium content to live events and derivative IP.Despite all the change, the podcasting community remains vibrant, and many companies reported record revenues. Optimism is high, and opportunities for creators are abundant—whether you’re expe...
2025-11-1834 min
Podcast PerspectivesBumper Co-Founder Dan Misener on the Death of the DownloadDan Misener is the co-founder of Bumper, a podcast data and growth company. Dan joins the show to share ways to grow podcasts, including identifying when you have a marketing vs editorial problem, the importance of properly tracking audience engagement, and how the innovative Bumper Dashboard packages and provides show statistics across several platforms. He also explains how we can use download metrics in a future-facing way and how AI is reshaping listener behavior.
You can find Dan on LinkedIn and at wearebumper.com.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
2025-10-2847 minPodcast PerspectivesBoston Globe Head of Audio Kristin Nelson on Integrating Audio Into the NewsroomKristin Nelson is Head of Audio at the Boston Globe. The newspaper has become a leader in the audio space with podcasts like Love Letters, Gladiator, Murder in Boston, and their new Spotlight: Snitch City. Kristin breaks down the Globe’s audio strategy, how they integrate their podcast team and newsroom, monetization strategies that incorporate ads as well as their traditional newspaper subscription model, and continue to produce audio IP for film and television.
You can find Kristin on LinkedIn and her work at bostonglobe.com.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
2025-10-1429 minPodcast PerspectivesPodcast Veteran Lex Friedman on the Podcast Industry's EvolutionPodcast industry veteran Lex Friedman is the founder of Lex Friedman Consulting where he works with creators, advertisers, platforms, and brands as a strategic consultant. Lex joins the show to discuss the challenges and triumphs as a former executive at Midroll, Art19, and Wondery, shares insights into the changing landscape of podcast advertising, and the hilarity of being confused with fellow podcast veteran Lex Fridman. He also provides a cautiously optimistic take on where the industry is headed.You can find Lex on LinkedIn or at lexfriedman.com/consultingI’m on all the socials @JeffUmbroTh...
2025-09-3042 minPodcast PerspectivesHow to Get Your Podcast Reviewed by the MediaFrom traditional news outlets to podcast newsletters, there are dozens of publications writing about podcasting today. But how do you get your podcast on their desks and featured by Vulture, The Guardian, NPR, and beyond?
In this exclusive – and free – webinar, learn the secrets of pitching your podcast to the press with Joni Deutsch (The Podglomerate's SVP of Marketing and Audience Development) and Alice Florence Orr (Managing Editor of Podcast Review).
Joni is an award-winning audio professional and NPR veteran. For the past 15 years, Joni has cultivated robust relationships with both legacy and new...
2025-09-1642 minPodcast PerspectivesAdLarge Media CEO Cathy Csukas on Ad Tech and Women in AudioCathy Csukas is the CEO and co-founder of AdLarge Media and the fwd. network. AdLarge is an independent audio ad sales firm that for the last decade has shaped how advertisers, networks, and creators navigate the world of podcast and digital audio monetization. The fwd. network is a more recent initiative to deliver content by and for female audiences. Cathy discusses the evolution of AdLarge into an all-in-one audio network, their early work monetizing shows like Ashley Flowers’ Crime Junkie, their cutting-edge approach to advertising technology, and how her leadership style fosters an innovative company culture.You can fi...
2025-09-0236 minPodcast PerspectivesCondé Nast Head of Global Audio Chris Bannon on Audio Innovation in Legacy MediaChris Bannon is the Head of Global Audio at media giant Condé Nast, home to hit shows from The New Yorker, Wired, Vogue, and more. Chris discusses his remarkable audio career from public radio to podcasting, which includes roles at Midroll and Stitcher before joining Condé Nast. We go through his experience first managing podcasts at WNYC in 2004 and the massive success of The New Yorker’s Pulitzer-winning podcast In the Dark as it gets ready for a new season. Chris also discusses the importance of live shows and the teamwork involved behind Condé Nast’s global audio network.
2025-08-1942 minPodcast PerspectivesAudacy Head of Podcasts Leah Reis-Dennis on Making Major Deals in AudioLeah Reis-Dennis is the Head of Podcasts at Audacy, the second-largest radio company in the US. Leah joins the show to share her unique path to podcasts, including leading content and partnerships at Himalaya and working in business development at Stitcher and SiriusXM before landing at Audacy, where she oversees content, partnerships, and marketing for over 300 shows. We discuss Audacy’s partnership with PAVE and Tenderfoot, the benefits of working in both podcasts and broadcast, and Audacy's experience with M&A, specifically Cadence13, Podcorn, and Pineapple Street Studios. Leah also provides insights into future trends for podcasters and podcast bu...
2025-08-0529 minPodcast PerspectivesCloud10 Media CEO Sim Sarna on Building a Powerhouse NetworkSim Sarna is the founder and CEO of Cloud10 Media, a rapidly growing podcast network ranked among the top 15 by Triton Digital. Sim joins the show to discuss his path from independent film producer to building a leading podcast network, the critical role of network support in production and marketing, and how Cloud10 helps creators at every stage. We also dive into the evolution of celebrity podcasts, the surge of video in podcasting, and new revenue models transforming the business. Sim shares insights on building sustainable show growth, what makes certain podcasts break out, and why collaboration and adaptability...
2025-07-2232 minPodcast PerspectivesPodX CEO Patrick Svensk on Building a Global Podcast FederationPatrick Svensk is CEO of PodX, what he calls a global podcast federation consisting of 13 companies from 8 different countries. He joins the show to discuss the importance of IP in entertainment, differences between the international podcast market compared to the US market, and PodX's recent acquisition of Lemonada. Patrick and I also look at his origins as a TV and film producer and how it led him to work in the audio industry.
You can find Patrick on LinkedIn or on podxgroup.com.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
Th...
2025-07-0834 min
Podcast PerspectivesCase Study (Part 2): How to Grow Audience and Sustainable Revenue with NHPR PodcastsNew Hampshire Public Radio is home to both acclaimed limited-run podcasts like the ground-breaking investigation Bear Brook and duPont-Columbia Award winner The 13th Step, as well as chart-topping “always on” series like Outside/In and Civics 101. But it took a great deal of strategic marketing, audience development, and revenue generation efforts for NHPR to get to this level of sustainable podcast success and impact.
If you’re interested in elevating your on-demand audio strategy in the wake of the “2024 podcast election,” then join The Podglomerate and NHPR for the second session of our two-part case study series as...
2025-07-011h 05
Podcast PerspectivesCase Study (Part 1): Navigating Threats to Journalism with NHPR’s The 13th Step PodcastJoin The Podglomerate and NHPR for this first session of our two-part case study series as we explore the resiliency of NHPR’s podcasts, including: The comprehensive and years-long production planning and editorial process behind The 13th Step.
How NHPR navigated and overcame challenges to its podcast reporting, including physical threats, vandalism, and legal pressures.
Key lessons learned from NHPR maintaining journalistic integrity while ensuring staff safety.
The guiding principle of NHPR’s Document team and how “taking the time to tell the whole story leads to bigger impact”
Designed for newsroom leaders and journalists looking...
2025-06-2456 minPodcast PerspectivesAdopter Media SVP of Client Services Adam McNeil on the Math Problem Behind Podcast AdsAdam McNeil is SVP of Client Services at Adopter Media. He joins the show to discuss the intricacies of podcast advertising, the advantages of dynamic ad insertion versus baked-in ads, and experiences with ad buys for smaller podcasts. Adam and I also explore the risks of YouTube ads and the future of podcast advertising.
You can find Adam on LinkedIn, at adopter.media, or The Roast newsletter theroast.beehiiv.com
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization ser...
2025-06-1049 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Making of an Award Winning PodcastTake a listen to a special session from Podcast Movement Evolutions 2025:
What does it take to create an award-winning podcast in 2025? From understanding today’s awards landscape to crafting editorial excellence, this evocative session will provide strategic insights to help your show stand out from the crowd. With observations and advice on how to take home gold from David Sirota, investigative journalist and host of award-winning podcast Master Plan, Jeff Umbro, CEO of The Podglomerate and The Signal Awards General Manager Jemma Rose Brown. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
2025-05-2734 min
Podcast PerspectivesAIR Webinar: What Audio Producers Really Need to Know About Video PodcastingIf you’re curious about venturing into the world of video podcasting, then join AIR and The Podglomerate for a can’t miss panel discussion featuring real experts from the worlds of YouTube and Spotify. Moderated by The Podglomerate's VP of Production Services Chris Boniello (who has 14 years of Emmy- and The Webby Awards-winning video and audio expertise), this panel discussion will include insights from:
- Spotify's Senior Partner Manager Yih Lee
- DCP Entertainment founder/CEO Chris Colbert
- The Upload Club founder/CEO Hayley Rose Danick
Whether you...
2025-05-201h 04
Podcast PerspectivesNASA Program Lead for Audio and Podcasts Katie Konans on Connecting NASA to the Outside WorldKatie Konans is the Program Lead for Audio and Podcasts at NASA. She joins the podcast to discuss NASA’s growing audio strategy, including how to make complex science accessible, the need for community engagement, and the future of NASA’s audio programming. Katie and I discuss the success of NASA’s Curious Universe, as well as the rest of their audio portfolio, and how to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts.
You can find Katie on LinkedIn, or you can head to NASA.gov/podcasts.
I’m on all t...
2025-05-1332 min
Podcast PerspectivesAudioboom CEO Stuart Last on Quarterly Earnings and the Future of PodcastingStuart Last is the CEO of Audioboom, a leading global podcast network which supports more than 8,000 podcasters, delivers more than 100 million downloads per month, and has put more than $250,000,000 into podcasters pockets to date. He joins the podcast to discuss the future of podcasting, Audioboom’s remarkable growth, and monetization strategies for podcasters through Spotify’s Partner Program. Stuart and I also talk about the importance of prioritizing independent creators as well as consolidation across the podcast industry. You can find Stuart on LinkedIn, and you can find your next listen at audioboom.com....
2025-04-2934 min
Podcast PerspectivesCreating Podcasts for Kids: Lynn Kestin SesslerHow do you develop audio content for children?Lynn Kestin Sessler is a Peabody, Webby, and Parents’ Choice Award-winning producer with extensive experience in children’s media, having worked with Nickelodeon, PBS, and Sesame Street. She joins the podcast to discuss the unique aspects of creating audio shows for kids, strategies for integrating podcasts into children’s routines, and the potential for kids’ podcasts to expand brand reach. Lynn talks about her storied career, starting as a production assistant at Nickelodeon, producing for Shalom Sesame Street, and working on the classic children’s game show Where...
2025-04-1529 min
Podcast PerspectivesPodcasting with Purpose: Multitude’s Amanda McLoughlinHow a former teenage YouTuber became a leader in the podcast industry.Amanda McLoughlin is the CEO of Multitude and co-host of the podcasts Spirits, Join the Party, and Attach Your Résumé. Amanda joins the podcast to discuss the keys to long-term podcast success, the importance of community, and her transition from being a YouTuber to a podcaster in 2015. She also highlights Multitude’s mission to support indie podcasters in ad sales, production services, and sustainable business practices. Amanda and I discuss the challenges and misconceptions with video content, essential skills that independent creators should have and...
2025-04-0141 min
Podcast PerspectivesBuilding a Media Empire: Ballen Studios’ Nick WittersWhat does it take to manage top names in podcasting and YouTube?Nick Witters is the CEO of Ballen Studios, the new media company best known for the MrBallen YouTube channel. Nick joins the podcast to share his insights on content creation, business growth, and strategic partnerships in YouTube, podcasting, and other media ventures. He recounts his unique career path from the U.S. Air Force to entertainment law, from working in the WME mailroom to co-founding Ballen Studios with John Allen, a former Navy SEAL known as MrBallen. Nick and I explore his...
2025-03-1937 min
Podcast PerspectivesA Legacy Comedy Podcast Network Shifts to Video with Forever Dog’s Joe CilioHow can you grow your podcast company in the wake of bigger media companies like Spotify?Joe Cilio is co-founder and CEO of Forever Dog Productions, a prominent podcast production company known for alt comedy. He joins the podcast to share the origins and evolution of Forever Dog, the success of launching shows like Bowen Yang’s “Las Culturistas,” and the company’s shift to video podcasting. Joe talks about Forever Dog Productions’ success with founding drag queen network MOM, or Moguls of Media, and also failures like its gen-Z oriented network, Eve. We discuss Fo...
2025-03-0542 min
Podcast PerspectivesUnlocking Podcast Legalities: Klaris Law’s Alexia BedatHow can you protect the podcast that you own?Alexia Bedat is a lawyer and partner at Klaris Law, leading its podcast and audio team. She joins the podcast to share her expert insights on the evolving legal landscape of podcasting. Alexia discusses the significance of negotiating clear contracts, especially in the growing areas of video and social media. She and I also explore protecting IP, understanding fair use, and managing legal budgets. Alexia’s transparency and in-depth knowledge provide invaluable guidance for new and experienced podcast owners.You ca...
2025-02-1933 min
Podcast PerspectivesFinding Your Audience: Sounds Profitable's Tom WebsterHow do you grow your podcast audience?Tom Webster is a partner at Sounds Profitable and has spent over 25 years researching audio. He joins the podcast to discuss his new book, “The Audience is Listening.” Tom shares his insights into understanding and developing podcast audiences, He and I explore listener behaviors, the challenges of monetizing smaller shows, and what metrics should be looked at to gauge success. Tom also describes the growing trend of video content in the podcasting world.You can find Tom at soundsprofitable.com and a print or audio copy...
2025-02-0540 min
Podcast PerspectivesFrom Impact to Acquisition: Wonder Media Network Co-Founder and ACast SVP of Development Shira AtkinsWhat will Wonder Media Network look like after its acquisition by Acast?Co-founder of Wonder Media Network Shira Atkins joins the podcast to discuss the history and growth of WMN and its acquisition by Acast. Shira discusses Wonder’s early challenges in monetization and distribution and how the company adapted to find success. Shira and I also talk about WMN’s mission of amplifying underrepresented voices and how that will continue at Acast. She explains how they’ve balanced mission-driven content with commercial projects, how the Acast acquisition can lead to global expansion, but will a...
2025-01-2239 min
Podcast PerspectivesPodcast Marketing 101 with The Podglomerate and The Webby AwardsWhat’s in the “secret marketing sauce” for podcasts from Netflix and PBS to hit the top of the charts, reach target audiences, and win coveted awards? Whether you’re interested in launching a podcast or want to scale up your current show’s audience growth strategy, today’s episode is for you.Last month, The Podglomerate co-hosted a special Podcast Marketing 101 webinar with The Webby Awards, the annual competition that has been named “the internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times. This virtual event was hosted by The Webby Awards’ General Manager Nick Borenst...
2025-01-1557 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Business Side of Podcasting: Insights from Room Tone's Co-Founder Ben RiskinAre podcast creators overlooking some business aspects of a growing industry? Ben Riskin, co-founder of Room Tone, joins me to discuss his advisory firm, which focuses on podcasting's business development side. We explore Ben’s journey from lawyer to podcast producer to professional services. He also elaborates on Room Tone’s three tiers of strategy consulting, business development, and project representation, as well as its new subscription channel Selects, which preserves and promotes archived audio works.You can find Ben on LinkedIn under Ben Riskin or you can head to r...
2025-01-0843 min
Podcast PerspectivesHow to Create a Podcast Interview That Doesn’t Suck Featuring Jeff Umbro, Fatima Zaidi, Jennifer Moss, Annalise Nielsen, and Quincy de VriesIn this special episode we're bringing you a panel from Podcast Movement 2024 featuring our own CEO and Founder, Jeff Umbro!We’ve all tuned into awkward interviews – maybe the guest wasn’t prepped correctly, maybe the host went too far off-script – either way, they can be entertaining to watch, but when you’re in the hot seat it’s a completely different story.To help make sure your podcast interview is memorable (for the right reasons), Fatima Zaidi (Founder/CEO of Quill) and her co-host Quincy de Vries (Senior Producer at...
2025-01-0135 min
Podcast PerspectivesStop Paying for Audience: Master The Power of Organic Marketing Featuring Joni Deutsch, Christy Mirabel, Lauren Passell, Pierre Bouvard, and Odile BeniflahIn this special episode we're bringing you a panel from Podcast Movement 2024 featuring our own SVP of Podcast Marketing and Audience Development, Joni Deutsch!Paid marketing isn’t the only way to grow a show. Discover the immense value of non-paid strategies to grow your audience. Join Ausha’s Odile Beniflah and her panel of top podcast marketing experts – including The Podglomerate’s Joni Deutsch, The Podcast Academy’s Christy Mirabal, Tink Media’s Lauren Passell, and Cumulus Media/Westwood One’s Pierre Bouvard – as they reveal essential organic growth tactics that don’t cost a dime. They...
2024-12-2535 min
Podcast PerspectivesWhere to Start With Advertising Attribution in Podcasting with Pete Birsinger and Cameron HendrixPodcast advertising is unique in the world of advertising. Impact can be challenging to gauge and Chartable, a leading product in this space, is sunsetting.To understand the world of ad performance and measurement now, I’m joined in this episode by Pete Birsinger, the founder and CEO of Podscribe, and Cameron Hendrix, founder and CEO of Magellan AI. Both companies measure how effective podcast ads are using prefix and pixel technology, allowing you to see how many people heard your podcast ad and how many purchased your product on a website. Pete, Cameron, an...
2024-12-0446 min
Podcast PerspectivesIntroducing The Sound Off Podcast: Jeff UmbroIn this episode of The Sound Off Podcast, Podcast Perspectives host (and The Podglomerate's CEO/Founder) Jeff Umbro discusses his transition from book publicist to podcasting, highlighting The Podglomerate's evolution since 2017. He emphasizes the importance of podcast promotion, noting that cross-promos are effective but should not be the sole strategy. Jeff also shares his insights on video's role in podcasting, noting its potential for discovery and engagement. Additionally, Jeff addresses the complexities of monetizing podcasts, including the challenges of dynamic ad insertion and the need for fair CPMs. The conversation concludes with Jeff's plans to develop a dashboard for...
2024-11-2751 min
Podcast PerspectivesPredictions and Retrospectives with 19 Podcast Industry LeadersAs we look towards the New Year, we’ve gathered some of the brightest minds in podcasting to reflect on a transformative year. From indie creators to network executives, our guests share their most humbling lessons, unexpected wins, and the moments that made them rethink everything. Plus, they reveal what’s keeping them up at night – and what’s getting them excited – as we head into 2025.Guests include:
Chris Peterson of DWNLOAD Media
Fatima Zaidi of Quill Inc and CoHost
Sharon Taylor of Triton Digital
Bradley Davis of Podchaser
Amber Smith of iHeartMedia
Eric Barne...
2024-11-2037 min
Podcast PerspectivesHow has iHeart Reigned Supreme? with Will PearsonHow has iHeartMedia reigned supreme in podcasting?Will Pearson, president of iHeartPodcasts, joins me to discuss how curiosity and collaboration have shaped his career and approach to creative development. From starting Mental Floss to holding executive roles at HowStuffWorks and now iHeart, we explore how Will and his team at iHeart have put the spotlight on underrepresented voices, the role that iHeart’s radio network plays in podcast development, his opinions on brand collaborations and marketing strategies, and why he makes time to co-host his show, Part-Time Genius, each week. Y...
2024-11-1340 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Audio Intrapreneur with Molly Barton of RealmAre audiobooks the key to landing big-time clients like Marvel and DC Comics? My guest, Molly Barton, Realm's co-founder and CEO, has done just that. She dove into the world of audio after leaving her job at Penguin Random House to co-found Serial Box, an audio story company that reimagined what an audiobook could be. In 2021, Serial Box was rebranded as Realm, and Molly and her team are now devoted to creating podcasts for clients like Marvel and DC. We discuss her episodic approach to audiobooks, how she approaches client partnerships, and the strategy behind the acquisitions of Lipstick...
2024-10-3037 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Journey to CEO with Gretta Cohn of Pushkin IndustriesGretta Cohn, CEO of Pushkin Industries, has had a fascinating career path, from cellist for Cursive and Bright Eyes to intern at the Village Voice, to producer at WNYC and Earwolf, to founding her own company. We discuss what she's learned throughout her career, her experience founding the production company Transmitter in 2017, her feelings about the 2022 acquisition by Pushkin, and what her day-to-day has been like since her 2023 promotion to Pushkin's CEO. We also discuss the company's recent integration of podcasts and audiobooks and how she collaborates with Pushkin founders Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg.
2024-10-1644 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Importance of Story with Hyperfixed’s Alex GoldmanHow does it feel to go from being a podcast co-host to the owner of a brand-new podcast venture? My guest, Alex Goldman, host and creator of Hyperfixed, shares his experience of taking the big leap to podcast ownership. We discuss his previous show, Reply All, how he's built his new business with a lean team, the role Supporting Cast subscribers play in story development, and why he turns to Kurt Vonnegut for inspiration.You can listen to Hyperfixed now wherever you get your podcasts or at Hyperfixedpod.com....
2024-10-0236 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Wild West of Podcast Development with WaitWhat’s Leital MoladWhat’s the next frontier of podcasting? My guest, Leital Molad, the Head of Podcasts at WaitWhat and podcast trailblazer, has some answers. We discuss her approach to developing groundbreaking shows, like Paul McCartney’s A Life in Lyrics and A Slight Change of Plans. I also get her thoughts on AI – including her insight into WaitWhat’s Listener’s Bill of Rights in the Age of AI and their new show, Pioneers of AI.You can find Leital Molad online at LinkedIn, and you can also find her on waitwhat.com. I...
2024-09-1842 min
Podcast PerspectivesNavigating the Evolution of Ads with TWiT.tv’s Lisa LaporteHow do you create a meaningful podcast advertising campaign in today's market?In this episode, I’m talking with Lisa, CEO of TWiT.tv. She's led the company for 16 years and has witnessed many ebbs and flows, especially when it comes to ad sales.Lisa and I talk about the range of podcast advertising options, her approach to sales partnerships, and how the pandemic continues to impact sales. She also shares the story of how she convinced her partner to start calling “netcasts” podcasts.You can find Lisa Laporte online. She's...
2024-09-0428 min
Podcast PerspectivesPanel: Community in Audio with Jemma Rose Brown, Davy Gardner, and Chioke I’AnsonPodcasts are intimate. Listening to them is often a solitary experience, and although fandoms emerge, building community within the industry can be a challenge.In this episode, I’m talking with three guests who have extensive experience developing community in the podcast world through festivals and awards: Jemma Rose Brown, general manager of the Signal Awards; Davy Gardner, head of Tribeca Audio at the Tribeca Festival, and Chioke I’Anson, founder of the Resonate Podcast Festival. Together, we discuss how to translate audio works in physical spaces, the importance of recognition, and how they foster collaboration and incl...
2024-08-2143 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Hitmaker with Wavland’s Jason HochWhat do wrestling and podcasting have in common? Jason Hoch, who ran WWE’s digital team during the early social media days and is now a leading podcast producer.In this episode, I talk with Jason, now the CEO and Chief Creative Officer at Wavland.Jason and I chat about his experience at the WWE, what it was like to work at HowStuffWorks on the hit podcast Atlanta Monster, and with Taylor Sheridan on the TV adaptation of Boomtown starring Billy Bob Thornton.To learn more about Wavland, visit wavland.me...
2024-08-0735 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Client Whisperer with Pod People’s Rachael KingThe podcast industry, like all media and entertainment, is undergoing a course correction.In this episode, I speak with Rachael King, CEO of Pod People. Rachael and I chat about podcast marketing strategies, team building advice, her latest predictions for the future, and why her first question to client has nothing to do with podcasts.To learn more about Pod People, visit podpeople.com. Rachael is on all the socials, just Google her name. I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
2024-07-2434 min
Podcast PerspectivesFrom Private Equity to Podcasting with Blanchard House’s Hassan ChaudhryStorytelling podcasts are a unique subsection of podcasting, and one with many obstacles and challenges to overcome.In this episode, I’m talking with Hassan Chaudhry, head of partnerships and strategy at Blanchard House, a UK-based independent podcast company which focuses on storytelling. Hassan is the former director of business and strategy with HBO.Hassan and I chat about his experience at Blanchard House, his beginnings as an investment banker, his career progression at HBO, and the world of companion podcasting and its similarity to DVD extras.
2024-07-1042 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Power of Predictive Podcast Analytics with Flightpath’s Sean HowardThe podcast world is growing rapidly, and podcasters can fall behind without a glimpse of the future. Predictive analytics have become vital for podcasts to survive and flourish.In this episode, I’m talking with Sean Howard, the founder and CEO of Flightpath, a predictive analytics platform for podcasting. He’s also the founder of Fable and Folly, which is a network of fiction podcasts.Sean and I chat about his predictive dashboard, the data that goes into Flightpath, stories from Sean’s past, and hints about the podcast indust...
2024-06-2637 min
Podcast PerspectivesCinematic Sound Design with Garrett Tiedemann of Campside MediaOn today’s episode we’re doing something different: Chris Boniello, the Podglomerate’s VP of Production Services, is taking over the host seat to discuss the production side of podcasting. He chats with Garrett Tiedemann, Mix Engineer and Sound Designer at Campside Media.This year, Garrett was nominated for ‘Best Production and Sound Design’ at the Ambies for his work on Chameleon: Dr. Dante. The series is hosted by Sam Mullins and follows the life of the prolific American hypnotist and fraudster, Ronald Dante. Garrett explains how he engineered the Dr. Dante serie...
2024-06-1224 min
Podcast PerspectivesBringing SEO to Podcasting with Ausha’s Odile BeniflahThere are many unknowns when it comes to podcast marketing. This is because ‘podcast marketers’ are often podcasters who become marketers, rather than professional marketers who got into podcasting. In this episode, I’m speaking with someone from the latter category: Odile Beniflah, Head of US at Ausha. Ausha is a podcast hosting platform with an integrated suite of podcast marketing tools.Odile and I chat about the essentials of podcast marketing: creating a website, social media, metadata, search engine optimization, and how Ausha was made to help podcasters with al...
2024-05-2929 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe State of Acast with CEO Ross AdamsSince its founding in 2014, Acast has become a global, publicly-traded company. Their business has touched many facets of the podcasting landscape – from building a hosting platform used by more than 125,000 podcasts to acquiring companies like Pippa, RadioPublic, and Podchaser. Acast also launched and shuttered its own app. In this episode, Acast’s CEO Ross Adams joins me to discuss the company’s history, their strategy moving forward, and how Acast has become the podcast company with the most global downloads, according to Podtrac. To learn more about Ross you can find...
2024-05-1542 min
Podcast PerspectivesShould Podcasters Care About the IAB?The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) can be a confusing organization for the podcasting industry. They’re an influential player that many recognize by name, but it's not often clear to the everyday podcaster what they actually do.The IAB’s main objective is to develop and establish the ‘rules and regulations of podcasting’ – namely determining how we measure key metrics within the industry, such as 'what is a download'. The determinations that they make can have enormous trickle-down effects in the industry. In this episode I speak with the IAB Directo...
2024-05-0136 min
Podcast PerspectivesMission-Driven Development with Wonder Media Network’s Emily RudderWonder Media Network was founded in 2018 to “introduce empathy into politics, business, and culture.” Since then, they’ve grown into a sizable independent network, creating award-winning originals and branded series for clients. To walk me through the secrets to Wonder Media’s success, I talk with their Head of Development, Emily Rudder. Emily has been at Wonder since 2019, and has held a variety of roles from production to marketing. Emily shares Wonder Media’s history, her approach to development for shows at all stages, and the network's monetization strategy in 2024.To find m...
2024-04-1729 min
Podcast PerspectivesSlate’s Most Profitable Year Ever with VP of Audio Alicia MontgomeryThe 27-year-old Slate Magazine just had its most profitable year ever, and it credits podcasting for much of its success. Slate has been publishing podcasts since the 2005 launch of Political Gabfest, and they’ve built on that success ever since. Today, they have dozens of successful shows, a thriving subscription business in Slate Plus, and they recently acquired Death, Sex & Money from WNYC.To learn how Slate achieved this, I’m chatting with Alicia Montgomery, their Vice President of Audio. Alicia was a public radio veteran before moving to Slate in 2020, where she now lead...
2024-04-0329 min
Podcast PerspectivesBuilding a Podcasting Cooperative with Maximum Fun CEO Bikram ChatterjiIn March of 2023 the podcast agency Maximum Fun announced the company would convert to a worker-owned model. At the same time, Maximum Fun’s founder, Jesse Thorn, would be stepping down as CEO after nearly 20 years at the company (though would still work at MaxFun).On this episode, I'm checking in with their current CEO Bikram Chatterji to see how things are going. Bikram and I discuss why the company made this move, what it means to be a worker-owner, and the implications that the new model has on Maximum Fun’s business and Cult...
2024-03-2036 min
Podcast PerspectivesTenderfoot TV in 2024 with CEO Donald AlbrightSince the launch of Up and Vanished Season 1 in 2016, Tenderfoot TV has steadily grown into one of the most impactful companies in the podcast industry.To explain how Tenderfoot TV got to where it is today, CEO Donald Albright joins me to talk about Tenderfoot’s unique approach to podcast marketing, how they leveraged the success of Up and Vanished to develop partnerships across the industry, and how they’re measuring success in 2024.You can find more from Tenderfoot TV at their website tenderfoot.tv and check out the Seas...
2024-03-0637 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Bull Case for Podcasting with DWNLOAD Media’s Chris PetersonChris Peterson is betting big on the podcast industry in 2024. The ex-iHeart executive founded DWNLOAD Media, a podcast roll-up aimed at buying and operationalizing existing podcast companies to compete with the giants in the space. He’s currently in the early stages of development, pitching investors and audio companies on the idea.To promote his venture, Chris recently released the 2024 DWNLOAD Report, a white paper arguing that podcasting is undervalued and will continue to grow. Chris and I dive deep into the arguments he makes in the report, clarifying why he’s so bullish on p...
2024-02-2131 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryWriting Communities: The Man Who Played Hache CarrilloWe take a look at the case of Hache Carrillo, who lied about his ethnicity, and put it in context with his contributions to the communities he worked in. We talk to former colleagues Luis Bayard and Lisa Page, and Bethanne reveals her first-hand experience working with Hache on the board of the PEN Faulkner Foundation. Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X...
2024-02-1941 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryWriting Communities: The Bad Art Friend SagaWe cover the story behind Bad Art Friend. In this episode, we plan to observe how the publishing industry is built on trust and investigate what happens when that trust is broken. We speak with Rebecca Meacham, a fiction writer who wrote about literary theft and its consequences, and Becky Tuch, a former member of the now-infamous Chunky Monkeys writing group.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta...
2024-02-1236 min
Podcast PerspectivesRunning a Small but Mighty Podcast Operation with Podcamp Media’s Dusty WeisToday I’m chatting with Dusty Weis, Founder and President of the B2B podcast production company Podcamp Media. Podcamp is a small but mighty firm based in Wisconsin. They largely works with companies, brands, and trade associations also based in the Midwest. Dusty does for brands what typically takes a whole team – from conceptualizing to producing shows for his clients.Dusty's background is in radio, where he began his career as a journalist and producer. He saw firsthand how the industry weathered the enormous contraction caused by the 2008 crash. Dusty walks me th...
2024-02-0732 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryGhostwriting: Bonus - Big BusinessWe’ve been talking a lot about ghost writing, because ghosting – that’s the industry term – is BIG business. This is a bonus episode of our series about ghostwriting. In this episode, you’ll hear from Madeleine Morel who is an agent for ghostwriters and Andrew Crofts, a successful ghostwriter.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by wr...
2024-02-0519 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryGhostwriting: Bonus - CookbooksHow does a ghostwriter capture the subject’s voice when writing a cookbook? And for the ghostwriters behind the stories, how does ghostwriting cookbooks differ from non-fiction? We talk to JJ Goode, a Brooklyn-based food writer, to get inside the mind of a cookbook ghostwriter. Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary crit...
2024-01-2923 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryPodcast Perspectives: The State of the Audiobook IndustryToday we’re looking at audiobooks. While the explosive growth of podcasting has dominated headlines in the audio world, the audiobooks market has slowly and steadily grown alongside it. Today, the international audiobook industry can claim $5 billion in revenue, while podcasting boasts around $2 billion.So how did this happen? What can we in podcastland learn from our colleagues in audiobooks? And how will the two industries blend and collaborate in the future? To cover all this today we have a panel from all levels of the audiobook industry: Michele Cob...
2024-01-2232 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryGhostwriting: Fiction - Will The Real Tom Clancy Please Stand Up?We explore what ghostwriting looks like for fiction. For genres like spy novels and fantasy, how does book publishing capitalize on ghostwriters to unlock lucrative IP extensions on streaming? We talk to Jeff Rovin, who has written Tom Clancy novels, and Andrew Crofts, who wrote the memoir Confessions of a Ghostwriter, to get the scoop.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https...
2024-01-1528 min
Podcast PerspectivesQCODE Media’s Steve Wilson on Bringing “Prestige” to Fiction PodcastsThe antiquated radio drama is making a comeback, now rebranded as “fiction podcasts,” and agencies like QCODE Media are leading the way in making these shows marquee programming. Their production is up there with the best, the artwork has the iconic look of an HBO original, and they’ve cast A-list Hollywood stars like Rami Malek, Kerry Washington, and Matthew McConaughey, to name a few.To find out why and how QCODE is investing big on fiction podcasts, today I’m chatting with their Chief Strategy Officer, Steve Wilson. Steve is a veteran of the podc...
2024-01-1030 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryGhostwriting: Non-Fiction - The Literary ChameleonIn this episode of Missing Pages we examine the lucrative culture of non-fiction ghostwriting and all its thorny edges, with a focus on what the elusive and often secretive practice means for a publishing industry ever on the brink of combustion. We talk to ghostwriting veterans like Daniel Paisner, Jon Sternfeld, Daniel Gerstein as well as cookbook author JJ Goode to get insight into how the world of ghostwriting for non-fiction.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen...
2024-01-0830 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe State of the Audiobook IndustryToday we’re shifting our focus away from podcasts and toward its sister industry: audiobooks. While the explosive growth of podcasting has dominated headlines in the audio world, the audiobooks market has slowly and steadily grown alongside it. Today, the international audiobook industry can claim $5 billion in revenue, while podcasting boasts around $2 billion.So how did this happen? What can we in podcastland learn from our colleagues in audiobooks? And how will the two industries blend and collaborate in the future? To cover all this today we have a panel from all levels of the audiobook industry:
2024-01-0332 min
Podcast PerspectivesDouble Elvis’s Brady Sadler and the Business Behind DisgracelandMusic and podcasting, in many ways, are a natural combo. Today, they’re often even consumed on the same platform. The music podcast subgenre is brimming with opportunity for interesting new collaborations, formats, and technologies. The result: this niche within podcasting is producing some of the most innovative projects out there.Today I’m chatting with Brady Sadler, co-founder and CEO of Double Elvis, a podcast agency at the forefront of this subgenre. Brady co-founded Double Elvis with his partner Jake Brennan, host and producer of the hit Disgraceland. Now they and their team prod...
2023-12-2028 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryBans & Violence: Bonus - Gaby Wood InterviewWe look into the results of censorship in extreme cases, using Salman Rushdie as a case study. Does extreme censorship of books lead to violence? We spoke with Gaby Wood, the Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, to find out more.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick.
2023-12-1826 min
Podcast PerspectivesWhy Audacy’s Jenna Weiss-Berman is Optimistic About the Podcast Industry2023 has been a tough year for a lot of people in the podcast industry. Years of investment in the space looks to be slowing down, and dozens of companies are reeling because of it. It’s clear to most that the business side of podcasting will have to be more intentional moving forward.To discuss this transition, I’m speaking with Jenna Weiss-Berman, Head of Podcasts at Audacy. Jenna has seen it all in podcasting, from her beginnings in public radio, to co-founding the wildly successful Pineapple Street Studios, and now working as the Head...
2023-12-1336 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryBans & Violence: Bonus - The Full Jodi Picoult InterviewIf you listened to our episodes about the rise of book banning, you heard about the efforts around the U.S. to censor books on sexual or racial grounds. However it seems there's a lot more going on than that. One of the guests that we spoke with – NYTs Bestselling author Jodi Picoult – has firsthand experience with book banning. Picoult's book, 19 Minutes, has been banned in school boards across 24 states, and she was kind enough to join us for an interview. While only some of it made it into our episode, we now present the full Jodi Picoult interview.
2023-12-1133 min
Podcast PerspectivesStudio Ochenta CEO Lory Martinez on Adapting Podcasts for an International MarketLike the rest of the world, podcasting is becoming a global business. However here in the Anglophone world, we don’t hear much about what’s going on in other podcasting markets like LATAM, India, China, let alone create content to serve these markets. Folks like Lory Martinez, founder and CEO of Studio Ochenta, are here to help bridge that gap. Studio Ochenta is a multilingual podcast agency currently operating in 27 languages, both creating original series and working with clients on adaptations.In our conversation Lory and I cover a lot...
2023-12-0630 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryBook Banning Part II: The Current State of Banned BooksIn episode 1 of this series, we looked at the history of banned books in America. Today, we look at its current state. Is there more nuance to book censorship than is at the surface? We speak with two people on opposite sides of the spectrum: A parent, who seeks to explain why she wants more control over the stories her children are exposed to, and best selling author Jodi Picoult, who has written many books that have been banned across the country. We also speak with a librarian and a parent in Texas to round out the conversation.
2023-12-0441 min
Podcast PerspectivesMagnificent Noise’s Eric Nuzum on Covering Audio as an Industry InsiderEric Nuzum has been on the front lines of the audio industry for more than 20 years. He was the man who helped NPR move into the podcast space, before heading to Audible to lead their original podcast development. Today, he is a co-founder of Magnificent Noise, a boutique production agency for huge brands. On top of his production and consulting work, he also writes about the audio industry in his newsletter, The Audio Insurgent.Eric and I chat about his coverage of the audio industry, his thoughts on the state of broadcasting and podcasting...
2023-11-2929 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryBook Banning Part I: The History of Banned BooksWhen it comes to books, America has had the same cultural arguments since its founding. One group perpetually focused on the moral ramifications and societal threats a story poses, while another group argues that questioning morals and societal norms makes for a healthier individual, and democracy. Today, however, local has become national. Historically, what's taught in public schools has been by and large a local issue, not a crusade. But our current moment is impacting people at a grand scale. We talk to SUNY Binghamton professor Adam Laats and historian Gillian Frank to get the full perspective on America’s...
2023-11-2741 min
Podcast PerspectivesQuill and CoHost’s Fatima Zaidi on the Future of Distributing Branded PodcastsHow do you reach your target audience? While this is a challenge for all podcasters, it’s especially important in the branded podcast space, where it’s often not always obvious who your listener is, let alone how to make a show they’d want to listen to.Quill and CoHost founder and CEO Fatima Zaidi is tackling this challenge. Quill is a branded podcast agency that produces, distributes and markets shows for Fortune 500 companies. CoHost is a podcast hosting platform (and recently a prefix) that provides analytics specifically designed for brands.
2023-11-1529 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryParadigm Shift: DOJ v. PRH: The Hidden Peaks of a Flat IndustryWith Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House barred from merging, are publishers losing substantial power as gatekeepers to the industry? What is the current state of publishers, and did this decision take into account the readers or the authors?Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xe_qmLMDvITranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-doj-v-prh-the-hidden-peaks-of-a-flat-industry/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missingpagespod/X: https://twitter.com/misspagespodHosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick....
2023-11-1339 min
Podcast PerspectivesSounds Profitable’s Bryan Barletta on Building an Audio IndustryAs the podcast space grows, it’s becoming clear that many in the audio industry are not on the same page about a few key things: standard rules and regulations, how we measure success, even basic terms and definitions. In 2020 Bryan Barletta founded Sounds Profitable – a company committed to setting the course of the audio business by creating free educational materials, research, and connecting different players in the industry. Today I’m chatting with Bryan about what they’ve been up to recently, what exactly the “future of the audio business” should look like, and relevant...
2023-11-0834 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryParadigm Shift: Botched Initiative: The Dungeons and Dragons StoryAs an extension of our last episode on the paradigm shifts in the fanfiction community, we take a look at the complicated history of Dungeons and Dragons and how the game’s creators have had a rocky relationship with the game’s fans. We talk to Ben Riggs, author of Slaying the Dragon, about Dungeons and Dragons’ sordid fan history.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUukoTranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-botched-initiative-the-dungeons-and-dragons-story/Insta: https://www.instagram.com/missin...
2023-11-0625 min
Podcast PerspectivesLemonada Media CEO Jessica Cordova Kramer on the State of the NetworkLemonada Media launched as a brand new podcast network with just one show in 2019. Just four years later, they've grown into a network of nearly 50 podcasts known for pumping out audio hits – Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Last Day, Believe Her, and more. Keen observers will also notice their innovative partnerships, like the Lemonada Book Club made in collaboration with Apple Books.Today I’m checking in with Lemonada’s co-founder and CEO Jessica Cordova Kramer about the state of the network, their strategies for making audio hits, and her thoughts on the indust...
2023-11-0134 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryParadigm Shift: Copyright & Fanfiction: Who Owns What?Are fanfiction communities becoming stronger than traditional publishers? In this episode, we’ll look at how fans, publishers, and creators are (or aren’t) working together, examining a fanfiction lawsuit between former fanfic writers Zoey Ellis and Addison Cain. We speak with Elizabeth Minkel, co-host of the Fansplaining podcast. Did we mention the fanfiction is about the highly specific subgenre of... wolfkink?Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUukoTranscript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/paradigm-shift-copyright-fanfiction-who-owns-what/Insta: https://www.inst...
2023-10-3033 min
Podcast PerspectivesHubSpot’s Jonathan Barshop on Podcast Growth and Doing Video RightIn 2021 HubSpot made a surprising move to acquire The Hustle, a newsletter along with the My First Million podcast. The Hustle and MFM eventually became the base of what today is the HubSpot Podcast Network, an audio unit within HubSpot aimed at funneling sales towards their other more lucrative products. The network has greatly expanded over the last two years, today boasting dozens of shows and millions of monthly downloads.One of the players helping the network’s meteoric growth is Sr. Growth Marketer Jonathan Barshop. On Twitter, Jonathan constantly shares the ways he’s gr...
2023-10-2529 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryParadigm Shift: The Colleen Hoover StoryColleen Hoover created a book empire through self-publishing, in part due to the power of social media. Is her career a sign of a changing landscape where publishing gatekeepers are losing power while readers are gaining power? We speak with Laura Miller, Books and Culture columnist at Slate, Jim Milliot, Co-Editorial Director at Publishers Weekly, and Jennie Young, an Associate Professor of Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, to find out.Website: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/missing-pages/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfvZyKUukoTranscript: https://li...
2023-10-2333 min
Podcast PerspectivesiHeartMedia’s Amber Smith on What is Ruby?This year the podcasting giant iHeartMedia launched a new division called Ruby, which works exclusively to create and amplify podcasts for brands. To understand why iHeart made this move and what Ruby is up to, today I’m chatting with Ruby’s Director of Audience Development, Amber Smith.Amber has an eclectic background in the audio world, working as a producer at SiriusXM and a manager of podcast partnerships at Pandora after SiriusXM acquired the platform, all before landing in audience development at iHeartMedia. Today, she works to grow iHeart’s branded content, which includ...
2023-10-1828 min
Podcast PerspectivesMedia War & Peace’s Evan Shapiro on Podcasting in the Media UniverseEvan Shapiro writes the newsletter “Media War and Peace” where he maps out the state of the media industry using data visualization models. He’s also a professor at NYU and used to work in podcast and television development at IFC Sundance and NBC Universal’s Seeso.This background allows him to have a comprehensive view of the podcast industry from a global perspective, and how it’s situated in the broader media environment. It also allows him to know from experience how to make a successful and sustainable podcast. This all made for a really i...
2023-10-1129 min
Podcast PerspectivesDCP Entertainment’s Chris Colbert on How Podcasting Can Move Past Lip ServiceIn 2017 after stints at SiriusXM and Audacy, Chris Colbert founded his own podcast agency, DCP Entertainment. DCP defines itself as a media platform for underrepresented voices, including people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other overlooked communities. Fast forward to today and DCP works with some of the biggest brands in the world, including State Farm, Dell, Acast, and creates some of the largest shows in the industry.In this episode, we chat with Chris about why he left his senior position at SiriusXM, the very concrete ways in which DCP elevates underrepresented...
2023-10-0438 min
Podcast PerspectivesAlex Goldman, Amrita Khalid, and Rachael King on the Past, Present, and Future of the Podcast IndustryIs the podcast industry at the end of an era? The beginning of a new one? Or are we just seeing the natural ups and downs of a developing market? Today’s episode collects a panel of industry experts to weigh in on this discourse by taking a step back and looking at the entire podcast industry through its past, present, and future. The panel includes:– Amrita Khalid, reporter at The Verge and writer at Hot Pod, one of the largest newsletters covering the audio industry.– Alex Goldman, formerly a producer...
2023-09-2735 min
Podcast PerspectivesThe Washington Post's Lillian Cunningham: From "Presidential" to "Field Trip"The Washington Post’s Lillian Cunningham produced, wrote, and hosted one of the Washington Post’s first podcasts: Presidential, a series about the history of the American presidents. Despite the show being Lillian and The Post’s first audio project, it was an immediate hit. Since then, Lillian has gone on to produce and host three more narrative series for The Post, including Constitutional, Moonrise, and most recently Field Trip, a series about the messy past and uncertain future of America’s national parks.In this episode, Jeff speaks with Lillian about Field Trip and how...
2023-09-2031 min
Podcast PerspectivesAll Things Comedy's Russell Weissman on Operationalizing a Podcast NetworkIn 2017 Russell Weissman joined All Things Comedy as an early employee, and was recently promoted to COO. He’s been a key figure in guiding the company’s growth. Today All Things Comedy is one of the largest podcast networks in the world, and by any measure can be considered a media company that spans well beyond podcasting. And yet! They still maintain the original indie / co-op foundation the company was founded on.Russell and I cover a lot of ground in this conversation, including All Things Comedy’s approach to working with artists and de...
2023-09-1337 min
Podcast PerspectivesPodchaser's Bradley Davis on Building the IMDB of PodcastsBack in 2017 Bradley Davis and a small team founded Podchaser, a company that has since become a leading database for podcast discovery – it’s widely been called the “IMDB of podcasting.”Jeff and Bradley discuss Podchaser’s use-cases for podcast listeners and producers, the so-called “podcast discovery problem,” and Acast’s 2022 acquisition of the startup.You can learn more about Podchaser at https://www.podchaser.com/ and find Bradley on Twitter @beradleydavis. Jeff is on social @JeffUmbroThe Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization servi...
2023-09-0627 min
Podcast PerspectivesNHPR's Rebecca Lavoie on An Opportunity for Public RadioRecently there’s been a lot of chatter around the public radio in podcasting discourse. Joining Jeff to break it all down is Rebecca Lavoie, Director of On-Demand Audio at New Hampshire Public Radio. Rebecca has been with NHPR for 10 years, but is also familiar with the commercial side of the industry through her work with Netflix and Partners in Crime Media, the audio company she runs with her husband.Rebecca breaks down how the public radio space works: how stations make money, their relationship with NPR, and most importantly: why they might be un...
2023-08-3044 min
Podcast PerspectivesLower Street's Harry Morton on A New Kind of B2B PodcastingFor many, “B2B podcasting” conjures up some bleak images: 45-minute pitches on a vaguely defined product, buzzword-filled conversations in an exec-filled Zoom call, or the dreaded infomercial-style podcast. Here to change that is today’s guest, Harry Morton. In 2017, Harry founded Lower Street Media, a podcast services company for enterprise companies, agencies and startups. Lower Street produces award-winning podcasts for brands of all sizes.Jeff and Harry chat about what actually makes podcasts an effective marketing tool, the lessons he’s learned from traditional narrative shows, and how Lower Street markets itself in a crowde...
2023-08-2337 min
Podcast PerspectivesSupporting Cast's Eric Barnett on Monetizing Audio: Ads, Subscriptions, and AudiobooksWhile most podcasters rely on advertising to fund their operations, a successful strategy isn’t always guaranteed. In recent years many podcasters have tried to focus on alternative revenue streams, such as premium subscription feeds. Eric Barnett is here to walk us through these alternatives. Eric is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Supporting Cast, a company that provides subscription platforms for some of the biggest players in the audio world – NPR, Wondery, Pushkin, etc. He spends his days working with these partners to ensure that Supporting Cast provides them with a subscription platfo...
2023-08-1637 min
Podcast PerspectivesWhat Do Podcast Hosting Companies Actually Do? with Triton Digital's Sharon TaylorThe RSS feed is now a 20 year-old technology, and has remained largely static in that period – a simple way to distribute audio on the internet. But with constantly evolving methods of distribution, analytics, and monetization in the fragmented podcast ecosystem, it’s become increasingly difficult to create all-in-one solutions for creators to host their podcasts. To parse the challenges of keeping RSS up-to-date in a fast-moving industry, I’m speaking with my friend Sharon Taylor. Sharon is the SVP Podcast Strategy & Product Operations at Triton Digital, where she oversees Omny Studio. With over 65,000 podcasts and bil...
2023-08-0937 minPodcast PerspectivesIntroducing Podcast PerspectivesPodcast Perspectives helps you understand the ever-changing podcast industry. Hosted by Jeff Umbro, founder and CEO of The Podglomerate, a podcast services agency focused on production, audience growth, and monetization for some of the biggest podcasts in the world, this show speaks to leaders in the podcast space through longform interviews and panel discussions. The goal is to walk through not only the important news and issues of the day in the podcast landscape, but also to go deep on the topics that podcasters need to know today. Produced by The Podglomerate.T...
2023-07-2701 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryAnna March: Inventing AnnaBethanne doesn’t just talk about scandals after the fact: Sometimes she’s embroiled in them as they happen. In this episode, Bethanne spills the tea on the story of “Anna March,” a notorious figure who racked up big bills in the service of literature — and left others to pay them.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate.As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books mentioned in the podc...
2022-09-1957 minMissing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryAn Apple Books CollectionIn this short bonus episode, Bethanne chats with Missing Pages Executive Producer Jeff Umbro about a new Apple Books collection of books and authors featured in the podcast. You can explore the collection at apple.co/booksmissingpages.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2022-09-1611 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryCaroline Calloway Part II: Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Flower CrownSome stories are too big, or at least too entertaining, to fit into a single episode. In part two, Bethanne speaks to authors, publishers, and NYC night life reporters to find out what Caroline Calloway might have up her sleeve next. Make sure to listen to part one if you haven't yet.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate.As a bonus, please find a collection of all of the books m...
2022-09-1243 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryCaroline Calloway Part I: Essential Snake OilsThey say that being too online will mess with your head, and no one was more online than Caroline Calloway, the mega-influencer who is known for botching not one but two books deals. Bethanne follows her trail of obsessed superfans, betrayed friends, and abandoned book deals across Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and even OnlyFans.Find a full transcript of this episode here.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate.As a...
2022-08-2944 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryJ.T. LeRoy: The Last Literary RockstarRaw, transgressive, and true: Praise for hard-hitting books like Sarah and The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things made Jeremiah Terminator LeRoy the talk of the town. But was J.T. who he said he was? Follow our winding journey as we parse good intentions and messy outcomes in one of the book world’s most complicated stories and biggest hoaxes.Find the full transcript of this episode here.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is...
2022-08-221h 04
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryDan Mallory: The Good LiarA.J. Finn — also known as Dan Mallory, former Executive Editor at William Morrow and Co. — overcame tragedy and illness to publish "The Woman in the Window", a huge bestseller and the inspiration for a Netflix film. But the story of the talented Mr. Mallory has more twists and turns than the book that made his reputation. Bestelling Pulitzer finalist Luis Alberto Urrea is a featured guest.You can find a full transcript of this episode here.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by wr...
2022-08-1546 min
Missing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryKaavya Viswanathan: The Untold StoryAt the start of 2006, 19-year-old Kaavya Viswanathan seemed to have it all. From a high profile six-figure book deal to good standing at Harvard University, the world was at her feet. But by the end of the year, her name was only brought up in conversations about "cautionary tales." How did she end up on a national television apology tour? Bethanne speaks to experts to set the story straight— and conducts a revelatory and exclusive interview with Kaavya herself.You can find a full transcript of this episode here.Missing Pages is an...
2022-08-1452 minMissing Pages: An Investigative Podcast on the Book Publishing IndustryIntroducing Missing PagesAn all-new investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Across its eight-episode debut season, Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print.Missing Pages is an investigative podcast about the book publishing industry. The show is hosted by writer and literary critic Bethanne Patrick, and is produced by The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad...
2022-07-2002 min