Podcast Network Insights: Understanding the Business of Podcast "Networks"

Greg Wasserman, Podcast Leader & Relationship Generator

Podcast Network Insights explores the evolving world of podcast networks, however they define themselves today. Through candid conversations with founders, operators, and creators, we uncover how podcast networks make money, how they grow shows, and how podcasters can decide whether to join, leave, or even start a podcast network of their own. For podcasters, it’s a resource for understanding what to look for when joining a network and how to find a podcast network that aligns with your goals. For networks and media companies, it’s a space to reflect on how they differentiate, evolve, and deliver value. For the industry as a whole, it’s a front-row seat to the transformation of what “network” and even “podcast” mean in today’s audio landscape. Hosted by Greg Wasserman, a relationship-driven podcast professional who’s worked across media sales, podcast platforms, and creator tools, and now serving as Head of Relationships at RSS.com, the show brings curiosity and connection to the people shaping how creators collaborate and thrive. Available everywhere you listen to podcasts, Podcast Network Insights embraces the openness and accessibility of RSS, because conversations about the podcast industry should live where podcasts themselves do, through open RSS feeds. Whether you’re a network owner, a creator considering joining a network, a production agency thinking about starting a network or partnering with one, control marketing dollars and interested in podcasting, or simply curious about how the industry is evolving, this show is your go-to resource for the business, relationships, and strategies that power podcast networks. ---- Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow ---- As someone who believes Life is about Time & Relationships, you never know where one conversation may lead, reach out and connect with Greg to open a conversation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman or reach out at greg.wasserman@rss.com.

  1. 6d ago ·  Video

    Past, Present & Future of Podcast Networks

    What can we learn about the future of podcast networks from someone who’s seen the shift from grassroots collectives to fully professionalized media businesses? Rob Greenlee brings decades of perspective, from the earliest days of national radio syndication, through the uncertainties of early podcasting, to overseeing networks built for a fragmented, business-driven landscape. His experience shines a light on how podcast network models have adapted as the industry matured. A podcast hall of famer, Rob Greenlee began building and operating networks before “podcast network” meant a business strategy. He’s worked hands on with infrastructure, led network expansion at scale, and now runs both the Adore Network and the Passion Struck Network, putting him at the intersection of technology, monetization, and creator support. The episode’s heartbeat is the tension between podcasting as a collaborative, indie pursuit grounded in relationships and its current state as a mature, competitive business demanding scale and resources. Get an inside look at what a podcast network was, what it is today, and how it is evolving in a rapidly changing landscape. Listen for: 04:06 – How did early networks sell advertising? 07:59 – Did programmatic create heavier ad loads? 18:06 – Why choose revenue share? 22:38 – How would Rob start today? 33:56 – Will larger networks acquire smaller ones? 38:08 – Should creators join a network? 41:54 – What belongs in network onboarding? CONNECT WITH GUEST: ROB GREENLEE | FOUNDER/ CEO OF TRUST FACTOR LAB, THE ADORE PODCAST AND CREATOR NETWORK | CO-FOUNDER, THE PASSION STRUCK NETWORK Website | Adore Network | New Media Show | Passion Stuck Network | LinkedIn Podcast Rec.’s: The Colin and Samir Show | New Media Show Book Rec: Podcasting: The Do-It-Yourself Guide by Todd Cochran CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS AT RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    Past, Present & Future of Podcast Networks
  2. Oct 15 ·  Video

    The Legal Structure Behind Different Network Models

    What does a podcast network actually include when its purpose can range from ad sales to collaboration or distribution? The answer affects ownership, contracts, revenue, and how the relationship ends. Gordon Firemark has practiced entertainment law since 1992. He has hosted Entertainment Law Update since 2009 and has written The Podcast Blog and New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide. His work focuses on helping podcasters and entertainment businesses understand the legal structure behind their work. He shares practical legal advice for podcast networks and hosts considering joining a network. Listen for: 03:50 – Why define the network’s purpose? 06:57 – What rights does a network acquire? 08:10 – What happens when relationships end? 08:58 – Who owns the RSS feed? 12:36 – Why formalize a collective? 14:33 – Why treat legal work as investment? 18:20 – How should ad payments work? 24:59 – What due diligence protects networks? 31:33 – How should talent be classified? 35:25 – What red flags affect hosts? 40:54 – What belongs in exit terms? CONNECT WITH GUEST: GORDON FIREMARK, ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY | CEO FIREMARK ENTERPRISES Website | LinkedIn Gordon’s podcast rec: Entertainment Law Update Gordon’s podcast rec: Legit Podcast Pro Gordon’s podcast rec: Expert Edge Podcast Gordon’s book rec: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS AT RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn | Newsletter Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    The Legal Structure Behind Different Network Models
  3. Oct 8 ·  Video

    How Listener-Supported Monetization Works for a Podcast Network

    What happens when a podcast network operator builds the entire tech stack themselves? Not as a seasoned developer, but because none of the available platforms align with their vision, values, or the needs of their creators? And how does this choice ripple through onboarding, data ownership, and creator monetization, especially when the builder’s background is media, not tech? Most networks rely on off-the-shelf platforms or outsource the heavy lifting, but building from scratch to enable real-time revenue splits and direct creator access to subscriber data is a rare, hands-on approach. Angel Livas brings a unique perspective, with roots in terrestrial radio, public broadcasting, and major television networks. As founder of ALIVE Podcast Network focused on amplifying Black voices, she’s combined her media leadership with an operator’s mindset, now curating a network of over 100 shows and personally guiding each creator’s onboarding journey. Listen for: 09:07 Starting a Faith-Inspired Network 12:28 Creating the Alive Podcast Network 18:49 Launching Alive Tech Platform 28:37 Promoting the Alive Podcast Network 34:39 Consulting and support for creatives 49:51 Licensing technology to other countries CONNECT WITH GUEST: ANGEL LIVAS, FOUNDER & CEO, ALIVE PODCAST NETWORK Website | LinkedIn Angel’s podcast rec: The Exit Interview Angel’s podcast rec:ALIVE & WELL CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn | Newsletter Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    How Listener-Supported Monetization Works for a Podcast Network
  4. Oct 1 ·  Video

    The Anti-Loneliness Podcast Network Blueprint

    What if the primary answer to podcaster loneliness isn’t more listeners or revenue, but structured, everyday “host love”? This episode unpacks how combating the solitary nature of podcasting lies at the heart of what truly helps a podcast network thrive. William Tincup describes the intentional structures—monthly “Hot Mic” calls, resource-sharing, and peer support—that move a network beyond transaction to genuine connection, making it the antidote to creative isolation. William Tincup, co-founder of WRKdefined with long-time collaborator Ryan Leary, brings a nuanced perspective: after decades in HR and content, and years podcasting, he and Ryan built a network approaching 100 shows in the world of work. Their partnership, a decade in the making before launching the network, offers a window into the operational and relational decisions that make support for hosts a lived priority, not just an aspiration Listen for: 00:14 Why prioritize community early? 21:59 Why avoid membership fees? 28:29 How can networks build community? 34:29 How does WRKdefined define success? 38:40 What should podcasters seek? 01:02:12 What makes partnerships work? CONNECT WITH GUEST: WILLIAM TINCUP, EDITOR | ANALYST | ADVISOR | HOST Website | LinkedIn | Instagram William's Podcast recs: Recruiting Future with Matt Alder | What's in a Name? William's Book rec: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS AT RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    The Anti-Loneliness Podcast Network Blueprint
  5. Sep 24 ·  Video

    17 Years of Lessons From Building a Network

    What role does a website play in a podcast network beyond listing shows and linking to listening platforms? Steve Phillips argues for building an owned hub where a network can organize its content, connect with its audience, and depend less on decisions made by outside platforms. Steve Phillips, co-founder of the GeekCast Radio Network, explains how a single Transformers show grew into a 38-show pop culture network and why culture fit, audience ownership, legal foundations, and practical technology matter more than simply adding another show. After 20 years in podcasting, Steve brings an unusually hands-on perspective. He has managed RSS feeds, websites, editing, graphics, contributor relationships, syndication, copyright issues, and a major rebrand. His view is clear: a network earns its value through collaboration and shared identity, not by serving as another hosting directory. He shares lessons from managing dozens of shows, building custom website technology, protecting audience ownership, and selecting contributors based on cultural fit. Listen for: 3:06 Founding the GeekCast Radio Network 11:15 Creating top 100 countdowns 19:48 Evaluating Collaboration Opportunities 27:01 Waiting for Tech to Catch Up 37:14 Deciding Network Website Structure 40:25 Shifting to video and rebranding 47:56 Managing Podcast Payments and Autonomy CONNECT WITH GUEST: STEVE PHILLIPS, Co-Creator of GeekCast Radio Network Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Steve's Podcast rec: All Things Transformers | Cinema Geeks | Altered Geek® Steve's Book rec: The Introvert’s Edge to Networking by Matthew Pollard CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS AT RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn | Newsletter Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, & Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    17 Years of Lessons From Building a Network
  6. Sep 17 ·  Video

    Growing an Intentional Podcast Network: People, Values, and Adaptation

    What happens when a podcast network isn’t just a distribution tool, but the core engine of a larger business built around trust and long-term value? This conversation with Hank Fuerst unpacks how intentional (and sometimes accidental) decisions about structure, strategy, and monetization can ripple through the whole organization. It’s a grounded look at the evolving definition of “podcast network”—and why that definition keeps shifting. Hank Fuerst has spent over a decade steering and scaling one of the country’s largest independent podcast networks, Ramsey Network, operating at a national level with a team of 75 supporting fewer than 10 active shows. With roots in radio, a mission steeped in financial education and advice, his network has thrived through strategic adaptation and a clear focus on fit, consistency, and audience trust. Listen for: 11:18 Starting as an independent radio network 27:24 Team structure and media challenges 31:20 Tech insights from an independent creator 37:35 Developing fan engagement tools 44:46 Early adoption in digital media 54:36 Future of podcasting and media 01:08:00 Finding purpose in content creation CONNECT WITH GUEST: HANK FUERST, VICE PRESIDENT | RAMSEY NETWORK Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Hank’s rec: Podcasts: The Dr. John Delony Show | Dear Hank & John Book: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    Growing an Intentional Podcast Network: People, Values, and Adaptation
  7. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Designing a Podcast Network for Early-Stage Creators

    What happens when a podcast network is built not from traditional media roots, but from a software platform focused on indie creators? This episode explores the practical implications of bringing technology and community features together, redefining how a podcast network can operate and who it serves. Guest Alex Sanfilippo shares how listening to users shaped the structure and philosophy of his network. Alex Sanfilippo is the founder of PodMatch, a software company started in 2020, something like a dating app for hosts and guests for podcast interviews. At the end of 2024 he created the PodMatch Podcast Network, operating as a community-driven collective with a strong backbone of software-enabled discoverability and collaboration. It functions as a “growth and support network” for independent interview-based podcasters, helping them get organized, improve, and “graduate” to their next stage. Technology multiplies the value of connection, but the heart remains member-to-member support and skill-building. Monetization is a secondary benefit. With over 500 podcasts now part of the network, listen to how Alex's built and scaled this unique network. Listen for: :00 Exploring Podcast Network Dynamics 9:04 Building small community meetups 11:56 Community-driven podcast collaboration 19:17 Identifying a gap in the market 31:10 Finding the why in goals 39:09 Building collaboration network tools 44:39 Podcaster cost support initiative 52:43 Building a Podcast Network 1:01:27 Focus on individual connections CONNECT WITH GUEST: ALEX SANFILIPPO, PODCASTER AND FOUNDER OF PODMATCH Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Podcasting Made Simple Podcast Alex’s Book rec: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    Designing a Podcast Network for Early-Stage Creators
  8. Sep 3 ·  Video

    Empowering Podcasters Without Taking Creative Control

    Are podcast "networks" holding creators back? Why does one company refuse the network label? And what is everyone missing about the business of podcast collectives? What if chasing the label of "network" is distracting podcasters from real, sustainable growth? Amanda McLoughlin began her journey on YouTube before moving into podcasting as the co-creator and co-host of "Spirits," a show blending mythology, folklore, and casual conversation in a unique and engaging format. Amanda founded Multitude in 2018, a podcast collective dedicated to supporting creators and fostering collaboration across innovative, creator-driven shows. Multitude rejects the traditional network model in favor of creator control, democratic structure, and long-term community building. Made up of podcasts united not just by format or subject matter, but by a shared ethos of curiosity, critical thinking, and genuine enthusiasm. Amanda's insights into collective operations, hands-off IP, and ad sales come from years of leading with relationships over hierarchy. She shares strategies for fostering creator autonomy, the pitfalls of public radio norms, and why prioritizing community over scale is the way forward. Listen for: 11:13 Early days of video blogging 19:34 Understanding podcast creators' needs 46:14 Podcast creative consultation process 31:31 Building Authentic Industry Relationships 23:40 Creating sustainable podcast episodes 37:34 Finding the right podcast partners 1:06:39 Personalized ad sales strategy CONNECT WITH GUEST: AMANDA MCLOUGHLIN, CEO | MULTITUDE Website | LinkedIn Amanda’s rec: Podcast Consider This for Comfort | Spirits: Mythology, Legends, & Folklore | This Guy Sucked | Tiny Matters Book Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow Please share your thoughts and record a voice note for me using this link.

    Empowering Podcasters Without Taking Creative Control

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About

Podcast Network Insights explores the evolving world of podcast networks, however they define themselves today. Through candid conversations with founders, operators, and creators, we uncover how podcast networks make money, how they grow shows, and how podcasters can decide whether to join, leave, or even start a podcast network of their own. For podcasters, it’s a resource for understanding what to look for when joining a network and how to find a podcast network that aligns with your goals. For networks and media companies, it’s a space to reflect on how they differentiate, evolve, and deliver value. For the industry as a whole, it’s a front-row seat to the transformation of what “network” and even “podcast” mean in today’s audio landscape. Hosted by Greg Wasserman, a relationship-driven podcast professional who’s worked across media sales, podcast platforms, and creator tools, and now serving as Head of Relationships at RSS.com, the show brings curiosity and connection to the people shaping how creators collaborate and thrive. Available everywhere you listen to podcasts, Podcast Network Insights embraces the openness and accessibility of RSS, because conversations about the podcast industry should live where podcasts themselves do, through open RSS feeds. Whether you’re a network owner, a creator considering joining a network, a production agency thinking about starting a network or partnering with one, control marketing dollars and interested in podcasting, or simply curious about how the industry is evolving, this show is your go-to resource for the business, relationships, and strategies that power podcast networks. ---- Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting Produced by Stories & Strategies Content Repurposed with Castmagic Podcast Project Management with Northflow ---- As someone who believes Life is about Time & Relationships, you never know where one conversation may lead, reach out and connect with Greg to open a conversation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwasserman or reach out at greg.wasserman@rss.com.

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