The Wolf Den

Mignon “Grammar Girl” Fogarty joins Lex on the Wolf Den. The two talk about Mignon's staggering 13 years in podcasting, and how she grew one show into the thriving Quick and Dirty Tips network. They also nerd out on language.

Renay Richardson chats with Lex from across the pond, detailing her experiences working for several audio production companies (but not the BBC!) — and how it led her to found Broccoli Content. With a goal of tackling the lack of opportunities for minority talent both in front and behind the mic, Renay shares insights on how the entire industry can better embrace diversity. Then, the two talk about company consolidation and whether mergers and acquisitions in the podcast world are ultimately good or bad for podcasters. This episode is brought to you by On Deck Capital (www.ondeck.com/WOLFDEN).

Danielle Kramer, Senior Producer of Exactly Right Network joins Lex on The Wolf Den. The two discuss the network's formation, and which aspects of My Favorite Murder its original shows hope to maintain. Danielle also discusses what led her to the podcasting, including time at NerdMelt and JASH. Plus, what exactly makes a good podcast translate to television? 

Lex speaks with ESPN'S Jody Avirgan, but he has a little help: He's joined by Harrison Goldberg and Brody Pontarelli from Grace Church High School. The three ask Jody about the process of turning popular documentary series 30 for 30 into an audio format. Lex and Jody also give Harrison and Brody pointers on launching their own sports podcast, With Further Review.

It's time for a holiday extravaganza! In this very special Wolf Den, Lex is joined by twelve guests from Stitcher's New York office to talk about the Shows We're Jealous Of. Featuring Jenny Barish, Andy Slater, David Murray, Will Carey, Jared O'Connell, Harry Huggins, Abigail Keel, Kelsey Butterworth, Julie Booth, The Reverend John DeLore, Christy Mirabal, Bill Irwin and Harry Nelson. And, in a Christmas miracle, a brand new jingle by Casey Holford and the Stitcher Choir.

Martina Castro, CEO of globally-minded podcast production company Adonde Media, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. Martina tells Lex about the formation of Adonde Media, and its recent projects like El Chapo and Duolingo. Martina and Lex discuss the many opportunities available for non-English-language podcasting Finally, the two give recommendations for podcasts parents and kids can listen to and enjoy together. This episode is brought to you by Warby Parker (www.warbyparker.com/wolfden).

Stitcher CEO Erik Diehn returns to join Lex on The Wolf Den. Erik gives updates of Midroll and Stitcher's recent “brand rotation,” and how it affects the company's strategy going forward. Then, Erik outlines how the the recent acquisition of Triton Digital will help bring Stitcher closer to the goal of being the “best place in the world for podcasting.” Finally, the two discuss the inherent challenges and benefits to the growing trend of bilingual podcasts. This episode is brought to you by Warby Parker (www.warbyparker.com/wolfden).

Berry Sykes of PodcastsInColor joins Lex on the Wolf Den. Berry and Lex discuss Berry's journey from podcast superfan to creator of the largest directory of podcasts by and for people of color. Berry also gives her unique perspective on what podcast apps (including Stitcher) can do to better promote diversity for listeners. The two also discuss if gaming Apple's podcast charts is worth the money.

Chris Kelly and Pat Kelly —from the aptly named podcast creative studio Kelly & Kelly and CBC's This Is That — join Lex on the Wolf Den. Chris and Pat discuss This Is That's upcoming tour, and inadvertently tricking listeners into thinking their satiric stories were true. The three also talk about Kelly & Kelly's new fake true crime “This Sounds Serious,” and the importance of striking the correct tone with satire. This episode is brought to you by Podchaser.

Stitcher's own Dan Osit, Korri Kolesa, and Drew Welborn join Lex on The Wolf Den. The three tell Lex how they each came to work at Stitcher, and how their jobs have evolved. Later, the group gives its predictions for the future of the industry, and address the recent Stitcher/Midroll rebrand.

Ben Ratner, video producer at StarTalk, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. Ben and Lex discuss Ben's job experiences, including how an appearance on late night television led to a coveted internship. Ben also gives his unique perspective as both an audio and video producer, with advice on how video can help any podcast. Also, Lex shares an anecdote about ranch dressing and Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

Grant Rutter, podcast producer at NBC Entertainment, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. The two discuss Grant's journey through the ranks at NBC and how it led him to be their fist full-time podcast producer. Grant also details the production of The Good Place Podcast and its inspirations, as well as the the challenge of making an entertaining podcast that's more than just an advertisement.

This week's Wolf Den is two guests for the price of one, as Lex speaks with two entrepreneurs in the field podcasting. First, Lex talks with Dan Franks, co-founder of Podcast Movement, the first ever dedicated podcast convention. They discuss the history of the convention, from its Kickstarter origins to its 5th year with over 2000 attendees.  Then, stick around as Lex interviews the young co-founder and CEO Bradley Davis all about the unlikely origins of the of new podcast directory startup Podchaser, which he calls the IMDb of podcasts.

Marco Arment, developer of podcast app Overcast, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. Lex and Marco discuss pretty much everything going on in podcasting today. The two debate the technical complications of dynamic ad insertion and how it affects both podcasters and podcast apps. The two also discuss Marco's history with Midroll in its early days, and theorize what might happen if Apple ever exited the podcast space. This episode is brought to you by The MarTech Podcast.

Harry Nelson, studio manager and producer at Earwolf New York, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. The two discuss the history of The Wolf Den, and how the show evolved over the past seven(!) years on the network. Harry also explains how a post on Reddit got him his job at Earwolf, and finally asks Lex what exactly his job is here at Midroll. This episode is brought to you by Clockwise.io (www.clockwise.io).

Jay Soderberg, VP of Content at Voxnest — the parent company to Spreaker and BlogTalkRadio — joins Lex on the Wolf Den. The two discuss "Pod Vader's" long career at ESPN Radio, Voxnest's mission to provide monetization for growing podcasts, and the recent S-Town lawsuit's possible impact on podcasting. Plus a Star Wars theory that will blow your mind. This episode is brought to you by Clockwise.io (www.clockwise.io).

Jake Hurwitz, Amir Blumenfeld, and Marty Michael, co-founders of the HeadGum podcast network, join Lex on the Wolf Den. The four talk about how HeadGum came to be, and reveal the topic so controversial it almost tore the group apart. Jake and Amir also give their thoughts on how podcasting has affected their careers and comedy in general, and the viability of a million-dollar podcast deal.

Stuart Last, Chief Operating Officer at Audioboom, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. Stuart discusses Audioboom's failed “reverse takeover” of Triton Digital and the effect it's had on the company. They also discuss the difficulties of building a creative content company at the same time as an in-house ad sales operation, and the results of the second annual IAB podcast revenue study. 

Peter Vincer from the podcast platform and network Castbox joins Lex on The Wolf Den. The two discuss how Victor wound up working in audio, the benefits and growing pains of producing original content, as well as the future of programmatic advertising.

Jason Snell from the Incomparable podcast network joins Lex on The Wolf Den. The two discuss Jason's path to podcasting full time, the practical advantages of streaming episodes live, as well as the pros and cons of more companies making podcasts.  This episode is brought to you by Pretty Litter (www.prettylitter.com code: wolfden).

Alex Ramsey and Joe Cilio, co-founders of the Forever Dog Podcast Network, join Lex on The Wolf Den. The three discuss Forever Dog's beginnings as a theater project, growing pains inherent to launching a podcast network, and if working in comedy ever makes things seem less funny. This episode is brought to you by Intercom (www.intercom.com/GROWTH) and Pretty Litter (www.prettylitter.com code: wolfden).

Chris and Lex speak with Ryan Natoli and Katy Yeiser of The Onion's true crime parody podcast, A Very Fatal Murder. They discuss the making of the show and what inspired it, as well as the shift from The Onion's usual short-form storytelling structure to a long-form narrative style. Katy also describes the formation of the show's writers' room, while Ryan provides surprising facts about the casting and recording process. This episode is brought to you by Intercom (www.intercom.com/GROWTH) and Pretty Litter (www.prettylitter.com code: wolfden).

Leila Day, senior producer at Pineapple Street Media, joins Chris and Lex on The Wolf Den to detail her experience establishing her style of audio journalism and how it led her to producing for KALW and Al Jazeera. Leila also discusses teaching storytelling inside San Quentin State Prison and how she developed her podcast The Stoop. This podcast is brought to you by Act!. Go to act.com for a FREE consultation with one of our growth advisors to see how Act! CRM can grow your business for as low as $1 a day.

Sarah van Mosel, Chief Podcast Sales and Strategy Officer at Market Enginuity joins Chris and Lex on the Wolf Den. The three discuss Market Enginuity's unique role in podcast and public media advertising, outline the reasons various types of ads work well for different shows, and forecast how podcast ads will continue to evolve over the coming years. This podcast is brought to you by Act!. Go to act.com for a FREE consultation with one of our growth advisors to see how Act! CRM can grow your business for as low as $1 a day. Also brought to you by Suny Stonybrook (www.stonybrook.edu/southampton/mfa/podcast).

Gina Delvac, producer of the hit podcast Call Your Girlfriend joins Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. Gina details her career in the audio industry, from public radio intern to podcast producer. The two also talk about the the delicate process of turning a passion project into a small business, and the impact a guest like Hillary Clinton can have on a show's audience.  This podcast is brought to you by Act!. Go to act.com for a FREE consultation with one of our growth advisors to see how Act! CRM can grow your business for as low as $1 a day. 

Dan Misener and Steve Pratt of Pacific Content join Lex and Chris on the Wolf Den. The four discuss the early days and learning curves of branded content podcasts, how their time in traditional broadcasting prepared them for the industry, and the process and philosophies regarding their work. This episode is brought to you by Today, Explained.

Andrea Silenzi and Hillary Frank join Chris and Lex on the Wolf Den to discuss Andrea taking over as host of The Longest Shortest Time. The four discuss the exciting challenges of a such a regime change, Hillary's new role as the show's as editor, and the pros and cons of getting Clowney'd.

Andrew Mason, CEO of Descript, joins Lex Friedman and Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. Andrew details his new “audio word processor” Descript, and explains how it grew from his previous company Detour. The three also discuss the Andrew's startup-themed album, and advantages of spending less time on the internet.

Kerri Hoffman, CEO of PRX, joins Lex Friedman and Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The three discuss Kerri's unconventional path from working for Greenpeace to the world of podcasting. Kerri then discusses PRX's place in the industry, including their Podcast Garage, a Massachusetts-based community recording studio and educational hub.

Kristen Meinzer, Director of Non-fiction Programming and co-host of the By The Book podcast at Panoply Media, joins Lex Friedman and Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The three begin with an important conversation about workplace sexual misconduct and Kristen's personal experiences at previous jobs. Kristen also recounts her career history and making the shift from public radio to a podcast startup.

Laura Mayer, Executive Producer of Show Development at Midroll Media joins Lex Friedman and Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The three discuss Laura's past in radio and how she defines her current role at Midroll. Laura also outlines the development process and what to look for in a successful podcast pilot.

Chris Giliberti, Head of Multiplatform at Gimlet Media joins Lex Friedman and Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The three discuss Giliberti's early days at Gimlet, and transition to his current position from his original role as Chief of Staff. Chris also explains his method for divining which podcast properties can be best adapted for screen as well as new emerging formats.

Colin Anderson, Executive Producer of Earwolf joins Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The pair discuss Colin's background as a BBC Radio producer and how that led to a job in podcasting across the pond. Colin also describes his idea of what makes a show uniquely Earwolf, and some plans for the network moving forward.

Nathan Russell, Creative Director at UCB Comedy/Don't Think Productions and host of the UCB Digital Podcast joins Lex Friedman on The Wolf Den. The two discuss Nathan's beginnings as an improvisor at the theater and how that eventually led to running their in-house production arm. Nathan also explains the UCB's philosophy of trying things and seeing what sticks, and how the intimacy of podcasting lends itself to improv comedy in a way video often can't.

Alison Hockenberry, chief of staff of Dubner Productions and executive producer of "Freakonomics Radio" and "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," joins Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The two discuss how Alison's background as a TV news producer eventually led her to running the "Dubner empire" by embracing the power of saying yes to things. Alison also explains the genesis of “Tell Me Something I Don't Know” and details the early trial and error period that led to the show it is today. 

Brendan Monaghan, CEO of Panoply Media, joins Chris and Lex on the Wolf Den. The three discuss how journey from working at the digital arm of the Washington Post to podcasting at Panoply. Brendan also explains Panoply's Megaphone Targeted Marketplace and talks about the future of podcast content and listener metrics. This episode is brought to you by Thursday Boot Company (www.thursdayboots.com code: FREESHIP2DAY).

Jason Concepcion and Mallory Rubin along with producer Zach Mack from The Ringer's Binge Mode podcast join Chris on the Wolf Den. The four explain the thought process behind the unconventional rollout as well as the the rigors of releasing ten episodes per week. They also explain how a show about Game of Thrones fits in with the Ringer's podcasting slate, and how they differentiated Binge Mode from the many other recap shows on the market.

Max Temkin, co-creator of Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Cooperative, joins Chris and Lex on the Wolf Den. The three discuss how Cards Against Humanity went from a game created by high school friends to a highly profitable performance art piece. Max also talks about his reasons for starting the Chicago Podcast Co-op, his role in bringing Hello From the Magic Tavern to Earwolf, and his favorite podcast ads.

Kathy Doyle, senior director of audio for Macmillan Podcasts and the long-established Quick and Dirty Tips Network, joins Chris and Lex on the Wolf Den. The three discuss the creation of QDT, from its humble beginnings with Grammar Girl, to being featured as airline entertainment. Kathy also details the creation of Tor Labs and their first podcast, the science fiction audio drama “Steal the Stars.”

Samantha Henig, Editorial Director for Audio at the New York Times, joins Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The two discuss the creation and challenges of her hugely successful new daily news podcast, The Daily, as well as new opportunities for short-form daily podcasts. Samantha also explains how the Times itself defines what makes a Times podcast. Plus, managing the paper's famous editorial wall between advertising and journalism. And finally, the pros and cons of fielding podcast pitches. This episode is brought to you by Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com/WOLFDEN) and Podcast Advertising Works: How to Turn Engaged Audiences Into Loyal Customers by Glenn Rubenstein.

Aaron Lammer, co-host of the Longform Podcast, joins Chris Bannon on the Wolf Den. The two discuss the creation and evolution of the innovative website Lammer helped co-found, Longform.org, and how podcasting fits into his vision of the site's future. Lammer also talks about the decision to start a brand new show, Stoner, which highlights the ways in which creativity and pot successfully co-exist. He also addresses the challenges of pot-related-podcast advertising: what do you do when the subject of your show is illegal in most states? This episode is brought to you by Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com/WOLFDEN) and Podcast Advertising Works: How to Turn Engaged Audiences Into Loyal Customers.

Bob Garfield, co-host of WNYC's On The Media, joins Chris and Lex on The Wolf Den. Bob details the journey of his new podcast, The Genius Dialogues, from a Kickstarter campaign to its home on Audible Channels. The three also discuss podcasting business models, the advantage of host read ads, and the problem of maintaining editorial independence in an ad-driven environment.

Midroll Media CEO Erik Diehn returns to The Wolf Den. The group discusses the formation of the East Coast office, the future of Stitcher, and the value of premium content and partnerships in podcasting.

Lauren Ober hosts the only nationally syndicated public radio program about podcasts, “The Big Listen.” She joins Chris Bannon and Lex Friedman on The Wolf Den to tell how the show got started at WAMU and what it was like to get picked up by NPR. Lauren explains how she balances serving the different audiences which listen to the broadcast version of the show, compared to the podcast version. She also discusses the influence and growth of podcasting on public radio stations across the market, detailing the advantages the medium offers these stations. As an experienced journalist and producer who listens to many podcasts with a critical ear, Lauren offers her thoughts on what makes for a consistently engaging show, and how “The Big Listen” team selects the podcasts to feature on the program.

According to executive producer Julie Shapiro, Radiotopia is a unique podcast network that she likens to a punk rock record label, bringing together independent shows to help support and grow them. But how does a show get “signed” to Radiotopia? Julie sheds some light on that, in this episode of the Wolf Den, with hosts Chris Bannon and Lex Friedman. She explains the process behind the network's Podquest contest, in which 1,537 entries vied to be the next podcast added to the Radiotopia roster. Julie also reflects on her career in creative audio, from co-founding the Third Coast International Audio festival in 2000 to leading the production of two new podcasts at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Finally, she offers advice to the aspiring podcaster, and reveals the kinds of show pitches she's tired of seeing.

Go inside one of the most talked-about new entrants in podcasting with Hernan Lopez, a cable television veteran who founded Wondery at the start of the year. He joins the Wolf Den to discuss that transition from video to audio with hosts Chris Bannon and Lex Friedman. In fact, Hernan draws parallels between the early days of cable and podcasting, especially with regard to educating ad buyers. He explains why he started Wondery as a full-service network, and why they focused on fiction shows--including one musical--for their first full productions, reflecting on what TV's transition to character-driven serials means for podcasting. Hernan also shares keen advice for podcasters while assessing the landscape for independent producers in 2017.Listen to “The Gift of Listening” here: Smarturl.it/giftoflistening This episode is brought to you by Podcast Movement ( www.podcastmovement.com code: WOLF)

The podcasting industry is often characterized as being like the “Wild West,” which is very similar to how digital publishing was regarded in the 1990s. Media analyst Ken Doctor was at the forefront of journalism's first online forays while working at Knight-Ridder Digital, and now he turns his lens to podcasting. He sees parallels with early internet publishing, but also important differences. On this episode of the Wolf Den he tells Chris and Lex what he thinks podcasters and the podcast industry need to do in order to grow smartly and sustainably. He analyzes Apple's current position as the still-dominant platform for finding and listening to podcasts, and offers his thoughts on how Apple could best support the medium. Ken also weighs in on the viability of subscriber-funded models and what podcasters should focus on in 2017. You can follow Ken at http://newsonomics.com

Max Linsky has the rare opportunity to spend time making a podcast with Hillary Clinton while she's on the campaign trail. On this episode Max gives Chris and Lex a behind-the-scenes glimpse at that show, “With Her,” and the new podcasting company that he co-founded with Jenna Weiss-Berman (TWD #92), Pineapple Street Media. He explains the inspiration behind starting the company, why he and his co-founder decided not to take any outside investment, and what they're looking for when hiring producers. Max also reflects on some of the lessons he's learned as a podcaster, beginning with the first interview he conducted as a co-founder of the Longform Podcast, and offers some advice for the producer just starting out.

Rena Unger has a uniquely comprehensive view of the digital audio industry. She's worked on the brand side, on the content side, and now helps to guide and grow the industry as as whole as the Director of Industry Initiatives at the Interactive Advertising Bureau. With her work as the lead for the IAB's Digital Audio Committee Rena is responsible for the Podcast Upfronts which recently happened in New York City. In this edition of the Wolf Den Rena explains where the idea for the Upfronts came from, and why podcasting's version of this kind of event stands apart from the television upfront and the digital media New Fronts. This year 12 podcast companies presented their slate of shows and talent to ad buyers at the Upfronts, and she shares some feedback from those buyers and her own thoughts on the event. Rena also details what she thinks is special about podcasting, and gives some concise, but trenchant advice for the podcasting industry as a whole.

If you've ever dreamed of starting your own podcast network, this episode is for you. Myke Hurley is a veteran podcaster and the co-founder of Relay.fm, a popular and highly regarded tech podcast network with 20 shows. He joins Lex Friedman in the Wolf Den to dig into the business of running a network. Myke tells how he built his first network out of necessity, and why he later merged it with a bigger network. But then Myke and his business partner decided to strike out on their own again with Relay. He explains why it's important for them to have that ownership, and what it took for them to quit their day jobs and run the network full time. Myke also reflects on the changes in the industry over the last few years—especially with advertising—and shares his advice for podcasters who want to build their own networks.

What are the biggest challenges facing public radio, and how does podcasting fit into the equation? Those are just a couple of the big questions that guest Adam Ragusea tackles in this spirited discussion with hosts Chris Bannon and Lex Friedman. Adam is the host and producer of The Pub podcast from Current, the industry publication for public media, and he's Journalist in Residence and Visiting Assistant Professor at Mercer University. He's known for staking out strong--sometimes controversial--positions on issues like native advertising, objectivity and journalistic ethics, which he shares on this episode. Adam also explains why he thinks the big northeastern cities shouldn't dominate podcasting, and gives some advice for young people who want to create great audio.