Happy Friday! What a week it has been in podcasting! From Alex Cooper throwing the first pitch at Fenway Park, to JJ Redick halting his podcast with LeBron James, to Paul George emerging as the next podcast king, this week is brimming with exciting stories and industry news.

If you’re new here, our goal with this newsletter is to bridge the gap between podcast industry news and culturally relevant moments happening in the world of podcasting. Thank you for subscribing! If you enjoy this newsletter, share it with a friend and let's keep building together!

With gratitude,

Casey Adams
Founder, Listener.com

🎧 Podcasting News & Highlights

Discover the Latest Trends, Exclusive Interviews, and Industry Updates

⚾ Alex Cooper and Unwell: Redefining Podcasting with Fenway Takeover

From recording podcasts on her couch in New York City to throwing the first pitch at Fenway Park, Alex Cooper's rise in the podcasting world has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her company, "Unwell," recently hosted a standout event, "Big Al’s Takeover," featuring exclusive Unwell x Red Sox jerseys, highlighting the strong community they are building.

Unwell's approach to fostering a vibrant and engaged podcasting community is unparalleled. By creating unique experiences and exclusive merchandise, they are setting a new standard for what podcasting companies can achieve. Their success shows that with creativity and dedication, podcasting can transcend traditional boundaries and make a significant cultural impact. Podcasting companies everywhere could learn valuable lessons from Unwell's innovative strategies and community-building efforts. Watch the first pitch

🏀🎙️ Paul George: The Unexpected Rise of a Podcast Star

Boardroom’s "Boardroom Cover Stories" recently asked: Is Paul George the next podcast king? This sparked the creation of "Podcast P with Paul George," a weekly show by Wave Sports + Entertainment, co-hosted with Jackie Long and Dallas Rutherford.

Inspired by the success of "New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce," Wave’s Chief Content Officer Mack Sovereign sought to expand into basketball podcasting, with George as their top choice due to his charisma and intelligence.

Despite being introverted, George embraced podcasting, focusing on authenticity and a positive outlook. "Podcast P with Paul George" offers genuine conversations, reflecting George’s balanced perspective and cementing his place in sports podcasting. Read more.

🏀 JJ Redick Leaves Podcasting Behind to Lead Lakers: "I Am Excommunicated"

JJ Redick, known for his 15-year career as an NBA sharpshooter, gained prominence off the court as the host of the popular podcast "The Old Man and the Three," where he interviewed notable NBA figures. More recently, in March, he co-hosted "Mind the Game" with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

On Monday, Redick took on a new role as head coach of the Lakers, prompting widespread curiosity about the future of his podcasting career. At his introductory press conference, Redick addressed the speculation head-on: as long as he is coaching the Lakers, he will not be podcasting. "I am, for the time being, and hopefully for a very, very long time, excommunicated from the content space," Redick declared. "There will be no podcast. I am done with podcasting for now," he concluded emphatically. Read More

🎙️ Shaq's Big Podcast Debuts Exclusive Content on Passes.com

This week, "The Big Podcast with Shaq," presented by Playmaker, launched exclusive content on Passes.com. As podcasters explore new monetization strategies, private content has emerged as a leading option. Platforms like Patreon, Whop, Substack, and now Passes.com offer podcasters innovative ways to generate revenue and engage with their audiences more intimately. Read More

🌐 Bobbi Althoff's 'The Really Good Podcast' Debuts Season 3 on Studio 71 Network

Launched in April 2023, The Really Good Podcast has quickly climbed to the top of the podcast charts. Althoff's interviews have garnered over 1 billion views and 235 million likes. Her journey began on TikTok in 2021, where she posted comedic videos and amassed a dedicated following of over 11 million fans. Althoff's signature deadpan humor and candid interview style, paired with her self-deprecating charm, consistently surprise her guests. Notable guests like Jimmy Kimmel, Meghan Trainor, Tyga, Mark Cuban, Shaquille O’Neal, Saweetie, and Maluma have each contributed to millions of streams per episode.

Now, as she gears up for Season 3, the podcast will join the Studio 71 network, promising even more engaging content and high-profile interviews. Read more.

🎤 The Rise of Live Podcasting: Lenny Rachitsky Joins Figma CEO at Config24 

Lenny Rachitsky recently sat down with Figma's founder and CEO at Config24, showcasing a growing trend: live podcasting at major events. This trend is transforming audience engagement and retention, with prominent podcast hosts increasingly becoming key players in these settings.

The collaboration between podcasters and significant tech conferences highlights the industry's direction. Big-name podcast hosts at tech events and other major gatherings are becoming more common, and we believe this emerging trend will only continue to grow. The synergy of podcasters and large-scale events? We think it's a resounding YES. Learn more.

💰 BuzzFeed is trying to sell YouTube sensation Hot Ones for $70M

BuzzFeed is looking to sell Hot Ones, a hit YouTube series created by Chris Schonberger and hosted by Sean Evans, to address its mounting debt. Despite months of negotiations, no buyer has met the $70 million asking price, Bloomberg reports.

Hot Ones, known for its "hot questions and even hotter wings," joined BuzzFeed three years ago as part of Complex. However, contract disputes with Evans could disrupt the show's future. Following a disastrous SPAC merger that slashed BuzzFeed's market cap, the company is desperate to pay off its $100 million-plus debt, having already sold Complex for $109 million in February.

With the booming podcasting industry, Hot Ones might find a new home at a major network looking to expand its multimedia offerings. Read More

 📰 Press-Worthy Moments

Welcome to our new newsletter segment, "Press-Worthy Moments." With so much happening in the podcasting world, we want to highlight the can't-miss news. Here’s what’s making waves this week:

• New York Times to Move Podcasts Behind Paywall

• Adobe Podcast Studio Now In Beta

• PAVE Studios Launches PAVE Publishing House

• Steven Bartlett’s Flight Studio Launches Flight Books

• Hallie Batchelder Joins Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network

Have news to share? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected] to get featured!

🎧 Must-Listen Podcasts

Hot picks to kickstart your weekend…

This Past Weekend: Theo Von Chats with Ed Sheeran

Theo Von sat down with the legendary Ed Sheeran on this week's podcast.

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

Andrew Huberman Returns to The Lex Fridman Podcast

This week, Dr. Andrew Huberman made his fifth appearance on "The Lex Fridman Podcast." Tune in for insightful conversations!

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

The Mel Robbins Podcast: Masterclass on Unleashing Your Brain's Full Potential

This week on "The Mel Robbins Podcast," Mel offers a masterclass on unleashing the full potential of your brain. Don't miss it!

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

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With gratitude,

Casey Adams
Founder & CEO, Listener.com

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