It’s our first four-way pod, featuring BuzzFeed founder Jonah Peretti, Gawker founder Nick Denton, and Semafor founder (and former editor-in-chief of the recently shuttered BuzzFeed News) Ben Smith, who wrote a book about them both. Peter Kafka talks to all of them in conjunction with Smith’s new book “Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Do ... Show More
Jan 14
How to Build a Profitable Media Company in 3 years, with Semafor’s Justin Smith
News is a tough business. So how did Semafor, the news startup founded by Ben Smith and Justin Smith, figure out how to turn a profit in their third year of business? Excellent journalism certainly helps. But it’s really because the company made two key decisions: Focusing on eve ... Show More
39m 32s
Jan 7
Inside Bari Weiss’s Rise: LA, Sun Valley, and the Mogul Network
How, exactly, did Bari Weiss become the head of CBS News? We know that David Ellison, who bought Paramount last year, hired her — and bought The Free Press, the publication she started a few years earlier. But how did she get on Ellison’s radar? And why are so many media moguls, ... Show More
40m 4s
Dec 31
Craig Finn on Friendship, Fans and The Hold Steady’s Second Life
Craig Finn makes music — as the head of the Hold Steady, and on his solo records — about grown-up lives and bad decisions. Back in 2017, we talked about his life as a working rock musician — and how touring actually works, how the band found a second life, and why fans and friend ... Show More
48m 49s
Oct 2024
How Algorithms, Money, & Bureaucracy Distance us from Democracy
With the election just over a month away, Americans are caught between a flood of political promises and the reality that we live in a time of political dysfunction. Joining us this week to explore the root causes are Ezra Klein, opinion columnist at The New York Times, host of " ... Show More
1 h
Jun 2025
Breaking (Down the) News with Kaitlan Collins
With the Trump administration generating headlines at breakneck speed, Jon is joined by CNN's Kaitlan Collins, anchor of "The Source with Kaitlan Collins" and Chief White House Correspondent. Together, they examine how to cut through the noise and ask the right questions, discuss ... Show More
1h 18m
Dec 2024
Reflecting on 2024 with Mark Cuban
As 2024 draws to a close, we're joined by Mark Cuban to reflect on how technology, business, and politics shaped this year. Together we explore his foray into the political arena as a surrogate for Kamala Harris, his mission to disrupt America's healthcare system, and ways govern ... Show More
1h 11m
Oct 2023
Sam Harris X Eric Weinstein: Israel-Palestine
Sam and Eric join us to discuss current events and debate the wider issues at play.
Sam Harris is an American neuroscientist, author, and podcast host. A central voice in the New Atheism movement, he is a well-known critic of religious ideology. Eric Weinstein is a mathematical ... Show More
2h 1m