Stillwater was supposed to debut in theaters last fall, but the pandemic changed those plans along with everything else. Academy Award-winning director and writer Tom McCarthy explain how he used the extra time to improve the Matt Damon movie, why the film isn’t on a streaming service — and what it was like to play one of TV’s best villains in the final season of The Wire. Then, creator Kyla Scanlon joins the show to discuss her quick rise on social media from making short-form videos on finance...
Jul 29, 2021•39 min•Ep. 351
Anthony Bourdain is dead. So how does a new documentary have audio of him reading his emails? It’s not him: It’s a deep fake. The New Yorker’s Helen Rosner explains. Then journalist Richard Rushfield takes us behind Hollywood’s closed doors to talk about the return of movies, the dominance of Netflix — and why he can more candid than ever because he’s writing about all of it on The Ankler, his subscription-only newsletter. Featuring: Helen Rosner (@hels) staff writer for The New Yorker Richard R...
Jul 22, 2021•47 min•Ep. 350
Wall Street Journal’s Eliot Brown first became interested in WeWork back in 2014 after an encounter with founder co-founder Adam Neumann, who quickly told the reporter that he should not “think about his company as a real estate business, but as a community-building startup”. Fast forward seven years, Brown, along with his colleague Maureen Farrell, plan to release their new book The Cult of We: WeWork, Adam Neumann, and the Great Startup Delusion, which chronicles the infamous journey of one of...
Jul 15, 2021•43 min•Ep. 349
When are we going back to the office? How often are we going back to the office? And what’s work going to be like when we get there? Kevin Delaney is trying to answer all of those questions — and really, every question we have about the future of work — with Charter, the new media company he launched by starting a newsletter. Plus we check in with NPR’s David Gura, who is hollering — from a distance — at the tech and media moguls gathered at the annual Sun Valley conference. Featuring: David Gur...
Jul 08, 2021•58 min•Ep. 348
Roger Bennett is half of Men In Blazers, the entertaining podcast/broadcast duo dedicated to Americans who love soccer. So he’s an excellent person to talk to Recode’s Peter Kafka about the state of the world’s most popular sport, and why an attempt to create a “Super League” failed dramatically. Bennett, born and raised in Liverpool, is also a huge fan of America and Americans, which he describes in his new memoir: "(Re)Born In The USA: An Englishman’s Love Letter to His Chosen Home”. Featuring...
Jul 01, 2021•54 min•Ep. 347
Twitch, the Amazon-owned streaming platform best known as a haven for gamers, wouldn’t be the first place you’d look for a left-leaning political commentator. But Hasan Piker, also known as “HasanAbi” is thriving there: He has more than 1.5 million followers, where he comments on the news of the day during marathon sessions. Piker talks to Recode’s Peter Kafka about becoming a new kind of Internet famous. Featuring: Hasan "Abi" Piker (@hasanthehun) Twitch Streamer and Political Commentator Host:...
Jun 24, 2021•36 min•Ep. 346
The newest publication covering tech is Future — a site owned and operated by Andreessen Horowitz, the powerful Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Partner Margit Wennmachers, who used to court press coverage for her company and its portfolio companies, now wants to go directly to readers, without relying on journalists to carry her message. She explains her strategy to Recode’s Peter Kafka. Featuring: Margit Wennmachers (@wennmachers) Partner at Andreessen Horowitz Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka),...
Jun 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 345
Jake Hurwitz & Amir Blumenfeld got their start on the internet when making content for sites like YouTube and Facebook was considered the Wild West. Then, after an iconic run on College Humor, starring in thousands of videos over the course of 10 years, they took another leap of faith: starting the podcast network HeadGum. The duo sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss their unorthodox career as entertainers and entrepreneurs, as well as their newly launched dating app, Orion. Featur...
Jun 10, 2021•31 min•Ep. 344
Journalist Rob Walker sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss why he decided to go the independent route instead of writing for another publication after his buyout from Medium, his thoughts on the creator economy, and details behind his newsletter The Art of Noticing, based on his 2019 book of the same name. Featuring: Rob Walker (@notrobwalker), Journalist and Author Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, on...
Jun 03, 2021•35 min•Ep. 343
The Information’s Jessica Toonkel joins Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss Amazon’s (planned) $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM. It’s the first time a big tech company has ever bought a big media asset. But why Amazon, why MGM, and what does this mean for the rest of the media world? Then podcaster pioneer Dan Taberski, comes on to discuss The Line — an Apple-commissioned series, as well as his journey into audio after a career in TV. Featuring: Jessica Toonkel (@jtoonkel), reporter for The Informati...
May 27, 2021•44 min•Ep. 342
Jim Miller was finishing up a book about HBO and then… the story changed. He talks to Recode’s Peter Kafka about what may change now that AT&T is handing the service - along with the rest of WarnerMedia — to Discovery. Then writer, producer, and director Alan Yang join to discuss his career, the upcoming season of the Netflix hit Master of None which he co-created with comedian Aziz Ansari, and what he thinks of the current state of the movie and TV industry. Featuring: Jim Miller (@jimmille...
May 20, 2021•43 min•Ep. 341
AT&T bought WarnerMedia three years ago for more than $100 billion, so it could chase after Netflix. Now it’s getting out of streaming, and every other part of the media business. What happened? And what happens next? NYT media reporter Edmund Lee has a reunion with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss. Featuring: Edmund Lee (@edmundlee), media reporter for The New York Times Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one...
May 17, 2021•30 min•Ep. 340
Antonio García Martínez used to work at Facebook, and wrote a book about it. In April, he started working at Apple, and weeks later he was gone, after Apple employees revolted. Martinez talks to Recode’s Peter Kafka about why he went to work for Apple, why he left, and what he thinks of the criticism of him and his writing. Featuring: Antonio Garcia Martinez (@antoniogm) Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of ...
May 15, 2021•24 min•Ep. 339
The concert business has been shut down for a year, which means that Live Nation, the world’s dominant concert promoter and ticket seller, has been shut down, too. CEO Michael Rapino sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to talk about the industry’s comeback, how his company survived without revenue, and how he’s figured out new tricks, like a subscription model. Featuring: Michael Rapino (@Michael_Rapino), President & CEO of Live Nation Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode Mor...
May 13, 2021•44 min•Ep. 338
Bloomberg's Brad Stone and Recode's Jason Del Rey report on all things Amazon and Jeff Bezos. They discuss how Bezos built his global empire and Stone's new book 'Amazon Unbound.' Featuring: Brad Stone (@BradStone), Tech writer for Bloomberg, and Author Guest Host: Jason Del Rey (@DelRey), Senior Correspondent at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more...
May 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 337
The antitrust trial between Apple and Fortnite’s parent company Epic Games is underway, so Apple observer John Gruber talks about Apple’s App Store problem with Recode’s Peter Kafka. Then, historian Jill Lepore joins to discuss her podcast The Last Archive, which looks at the demise of truth and the rise of doubt in American history - and why it matters to us today. Featuring: John Gruber (@gruber), of Daring Fireball Jill Lepore, writer for the New York Times and host of The Last Archive Host: ...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 336
AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan checks in with Recode’s Peter Kafka to talk about his company’s pivot from TV to streaming, and what it’s like to be a smaller fish in the video pond. Featuring: Josh Sapan (@JWSAPAN), CEO of AMC Networks Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to get their take on today's media ...
Apr 29, 2021•40 min•Ep. 335
The Oscars are supposed to be a celebration for Hollywood, but this year it feels like a collapse: The pandemic has altered the slate of movies up for awards - and, crucially, seems to have removed most of the TV audience for Sunday’s show. Slate’s Allegra Frank and Vox’s Alissa Wilkinson talk to Recode’s Peter Kafka about what all of this means for the movie business and for moviegoers. Then The Ringer’s Rob Harvilla explains why he’s spending a year praising 60 Songs That Explain the 90s on hi...
Apr 22, 2021•55 min•Ep. 334
Apple’s selling podcasts. Facebook wants to distribute podcasts - and take on Clubhouse, too. It’s been a busy couple days for big tech and audio, so Vox Media producer Zach Mack stopped by to talk to Recode’s Peter Kafka and sort through the news. What does all of this mean for creators? What about listeners? And what happens next? Featuring: Zach Mack (@zachthemack), Senior Producer for the Vox Media Podcast Network Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscrib...
Apr 21, 2021•24 min•Ep. 333
Substack is known for recruiting high profile writers to leave the big name publications and start their own newsletter businesses. Now it wants to recruit writers you haven’t heard of, and get them to cover local news. Cofounders Chris Best and Hamish McKenzie talk to Recode’s Peter Kafka about their plans — as well as criticism and controversy their startup has kicked up in the last year. Featuring: Chris Best (@cjgbest) Co-Founder of Substack Hamish McKenzie (@hamishmckenzie) Co-Founder of Su...
Apr 15, 2021•42 min•Ep. 332
NFT’s have been rising in popularity in recent months with franchises like the NBA partnering with Roham Gharegozlou’s Dapper Labs to create Top Shot, or UTA’s Brent Weinstein assisting entertainers to take advantage of it as well. Recode’s Peter Kafka speaks to both of them about their journey getting into NFT’s and blockchain, as well as The Verge’s Mitchell Clark who breaks down the industry as a whole. Featuring: Roham Gharegozlou (@rohamg) , CEO of Dapper Labs Mitchell Clark (@strawberrywel...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 331
Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar started his job in the middle of a global pandemic. Things got even weirder after that. Kilar talks with Recode’s Peter Kafka about his controversial plan to stream big movies on HBO Max, and how he’ll change that in 2022. Plus thoughts on sports, CNN, and Amazon, where he got his start. Featuring: Jason Kilar (@jasonkilar), CEO of Warner Media Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one o...
Apr 08, 2021•50 min•Ep. 330
Why is every digital media company talking about a SPAC? Why now? And what, exactly is a SPAC? Axios’ Dan Primack and WSJ’s Ben Mullin talk to Recode’s Peter Kafka about the wave of deal-making, what it means, and how long it will last. Featuring: Dan Primack (@danprimack), Business Editor at Axios Ben Mullin (@BenMullin), Media Reporter at The Wall Street Journal Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the med...
Apr 01, 2021•38 min•Ep. 329
David Dobrik was one of YouTube’s biggest stars. Now his career is in peril after an expose by Business Insider’s Kat Tenbarge; she talks to Recode’s Peter Kafka to talk about her story. Then The Markup’s Julia Angwin talks about her site’s efforts to peer into Facebook’s black box and an update on her non-profit newsroom. Featuring: Kat Tenbarge (@kattenbarge), Reporter for Business Insider Julia Angwin (@JuliaAngwin), Editor-In-Chief of The Mark Up Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at...
Mar 25, 2021•51 min•Ep. 328
Like many of us last year, Christina “Tinx” Najjar decided to download TikTok on a whim. Unlike many of us, she has become a TikTok star, with close to a million followers and lots of brands knocking on her door. She sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to detail her journey on how she did it. Then Vox’s Rebecca Jennings joins Peter to break down the business and economics of being an influencer. Featuring: Christina "Tinx" Najjar (@itsmetinx), Comedian and Social Media Influencer Rebecca Jenning...
Mar 18, 2021•50 min•Ep. 327
The pandemic changed everything - including the media landscape. What happens when things get back to mostly normal? ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, The Verge’s Bijan Stephen, and Lightshed’s Rich Greenfield talk about the way big-time sports, streaming, TV, movies, and gaming all responded to the pandemic, and predict what happens next. Featuring: Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN), NBA Reporter for ESPN Bijan Stephen (@bijanstephen), reporter for The Verge Rich Greenfield (@RichLightShed), General Partn...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 326
Fubo TV wants to take on the giants in streaming and in sports betting. Investors have sky-high expectations and skeptics think it will never work. Fubo TV CEO David Gandler talks to Recode’s Peter Kafka about the way his company has evolved since he founded it in 2015, and what it’s like to run a public company in the Gamestop/Reddit age. Featuring: David Gandler (@davidgandler), Co-Founder & CEO of Fubo TV Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for ...
Mar 08, 2021•47 min•Ep. 325
Paramount Plus and Discovery Plus are the latest, and perhaps the last big streaming services to launch in a very crowded market. Recode’s Peter Kafka asks The Verge’s Julia Alexander to assess the new entrants and the overall state of the Streaming Wars. Then, New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose talks about his latest book, Futureproof: Nine Rules For Humans In The Age of Automation. It’s a guide to thriving - or at least surviving - in a fast-approaching future where technology will disp...
Mar 04, 2021•56 min•Ep. 324
Facebook and Google faced off against Australia and Rupert Murdoch. Who won? Recode’s Peter Kafka asks his colleague Sara Morrison to explain. Then, comedian and actor Al Madrigal stops by to discuss his career in stand-up comedy; what it’s like to make TV shows during a pandemic, and how he started the very popular All Things Comedy podcast network with fellow comedian Bill Burr. Featuring: Sara Morrison (@SaraMorrison), reporter at Recode Al Madrigal (@almadrigal), Comedian, Podcaster, Actor H...
Feb 25, 2021•45 min•Ep. 323
Pandora founder and former CEO Tim Westergren is back in the music business with Sessions, a live-streaming service well-timed for the pandemic. He talks with Recode’s Peter Kafka about what happens when people start seeing live shows in person again - and the lessons he learned running a music service that used to be ubiquitous, but got side-swiped by Spotify and the on-demand era. Featuring: Tim Westergren (@timwestergren), founder of Pandora & co-founder of Sessions Host: Peter Kafka (@pk...
Feb 18, 2021•37 min•Ep. 322
