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. 3d ago ·  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
  2. 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
  3. Aug 27 ·  Video

    What Boutique Podcast Networks Do Differently for Creators

    What makes a podcast network truly distinctive? In this conversation, the focus shifts to networks that do more than aggregate existing content. Instead, they build new shows from the ground up, taking real creative risks on untested ideas. It’s a hands-on, developmental model, shaped by leaders willing to take part in every stage of show creation. Mike Jensen embodies this approach, blending years of experience in sponsorship and content development with a personal investment in each project. Mike Jensen draws on decades in media—AOL, the Wall Street Journal, and leadership roles in podcasting—to build Rhapsody Voices, a boutique podcast network with more than 40 shows across diverse genres. His career-long expertise in advertising and partnerships sets the foundation for a style of network leadership that prioritizes development, realism, and deep collaboration. Listen for: 00:00 Navigating the podcast network world 6:27 Managing a boutique show network 11:02 Building Community Through Podcasts 13:52 Analyzing marketing goals and strategies 15:58 Discussing ad delivery strategies 20:33 Educating creators on ad strategy 23:22 Understanding Audience Size for Sponsorship 26:35 Choosing the right podcast network 37:38 Startup challenges and early focus 50:32 The impact of podcasts on culture CONNECT WITH GUEST: MIKE JENSEN | CEO Website | LinkedIn Mike’s Podcast rec: The Players Box | Today, Explained | Question Everything Mike's Book rec: The Algebra of Happiness by Scott Galloway 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.

    What Boutique Podcast Networks Do Differently for Creators
  4. Aug 20 ·  Video

    How a Broadway Culture Reinvented Podcast Network Growth

    What does it look like to build a podcast network where the technical foundation feels as relational and dynamic as a theater ensemble? This conversation explores how the underlying tech and operational choices shape not only discoverability but also the everyday reality for creators, and why a podcast network’s digital backbone can become its most communal feature. Alan Seales brings a rare perspective, blending his background in computer science, Broadway performance, and Google engineering to build a podcast network that serves nearly 200 shows and rethinks how networks can support podcasters at scale. Alan has led the Broadway Podcast Network since 2019, applying his hands-on technical skills to design everything from custom web platforms to automated systems. With experience both on stage and in major tech roles, he offers practical lessons from years of supporting and growing a sizable collection of podcasts in a distinctly creative industry. This conversation weaves together his personal journey, operational philosophy, and the values that drive the network, highlighting BPN’s unique approach to community, automation, and creative support. Listen for: 00:00 Discussing podcast networks and operations 10:46 SEO focus and network benefits 19:35 Operating smoothly with podcast tools 28:57 Helping Clients Plan Podcasts 32:20 Podcast submission requirements 37:46 Talking about podcast growth and community 48:41 Building a podcast P&L system 54:53 Trying new podcasting strategies 56:08 Challenges with marketing strategies 01:12:15 Criteria for accepting podcast shows CONNECT WITH GUEST: ALAN SEALES, CO-FOUNDER Website | LinkedIn | The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Alan’s Podcast rec: The Lonely Island Alan’s Book rec: The Aetherion Code by Bellamy Young 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.

    How a Broadway Culture Reinvented Podcast Network Growth
  5. Aug 13 ·  Video

    Inside Building a Consumer-Facing Podcast Network

    What happens when a podcast network builds its identity for listeners—much like a TV channel—instead of just providing services to creators behind the scenes? This episode explores why centering a podcast network’s brand can shape everything from show selection to audience community and long-term business value. It challenges the assumption that a podcast network is simply a vehicle for production and sales, and instead considers it as a consumer-facing brand that must earn long-term loyalty. Guest A.J. Feliciano brings a rare perspective—questioning whether “podcast” will even remain the right word, and pushing operators to rethink how networks build lasting value. With a background in cable television—including nearly a decade at NBCUniversal—and experience building networks that emerged from large, fan-driven brands, A.J. Feliciano now leads the creation of a new kind of podcast network with Companion. His operational focus stretches from network structure to direct-to-consumer brand-building. If you’re curious what it looks like to operationalize a consumer-facing network from scratch, the full conversation goes much deeper. Listen for: 00:00 Podcast networks and brand building 06:54 How podcast networks operate 15:04 Fostering community through meaningful content 20:12 Expanding Podcast Network Partnerships 30:18 Considering doing ad sales in-house 37:11 Discussing podcast network operations 43:24 Celebrities and podcast expectations 46:52 Approaching Podcast Networks 50:17 Identifying red flags in sales pitches 57:17 Building Creator Collaborations 01:06:42 Streamers licensing podcasts WITH GUESTS: A.J. FELICIANO, GENERAL MANAGER Website | LinkedIn A.J.’s rec: Podcast Pop Syllabus | Book: Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber 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.

    Inside Building a Consumer-Facing Podcast Network
  6. Aug 6 ·  Video

    Building a Network for the Long Run: Community, Criteria, and Change

    Are podcast networks still the place for passionate new voices, or is the door closing unless you can prove your numbers? When does building a podcast network shift from nurturing raw talent to protecting a business, and what do you lose in that transition? This conversation unpacks how download minimums, revenue focus, and talent requirements have changed what it actually means to run a podcast network today. Guest Nick Gelso brings a frank view into this reality, questioning the cost of growth for operators and creators alike. Nick Gelso, operator of CLNS Media CLNS Media—Boston’s leading independent digital sports broadcaster—and North Station Media, a hybrid podcast network and agency representing 100+ shows. and North Station Media, has developed two businesses at scale, overseeing dozens of podcasts and digital shows focused on sports and related fields. Moving from a restaurant background into blogging and podcast hosting, he grew his network from individual experiments in the mid-2000s into a large operation responsible for supporting many creators and families. Listen for: 00:00 Challenges in Podcasting Growth 3:09 Navigating podcast networks 14:24 Starting the sports media network 21:10 Discussing successful TV shows 23:48 Evaluating Podcast Partnerships 29:01 Discussing content strategy and meetings 30:55 Discussing marketing team activities 36:45 Exploring AI-driven content strategies 39:28 Joining a content network 40:51 Onboarding content creators 46:10 Reflecting on starting a business 50:41 AI's Impact on Content Networks 51:38 Challenges of Scaling Media Networks CONNECT WITH GUEST: NICK GELSO, CEO & FOUNDER | CLNS MEDIA | NORTH STATION MEDIA CLNS Media | CLNS Media X | CLNS Instagram | North Station Media | Nick's X | Nick’s Instagram | LinkedIn 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.

    Building a Network for the Long Run: Community, Criteria, and Change
  7. Jul 30 ·  Video

    Building a Podcast Network Around Creators, Not Just Content

    What does it really look like to build a podcast network where creators are central, not just featured? This episode explores how a creator-first philosophy shapes everything from formats to hiring—and why betting on people instead of just shows might be the overlooked lever for genuine audience connection. Joining are Andrew Kenward (president and COO, formerly an agent at WME) and Paige Hymson (EVP of Podcasts, with a background in traditional audio journalism), each bringing perspectives from both legacy media and new digital models. Andrew draws on his agency experience and perspective as a founder, while Paige offers hands-on insights from years in newsroom-style podcasting. Together, they’re building a network with eight long-form audio/video series across sports and comedy, developed around a tightly defined audience and a collaborative, cross-platform approach. Listen for: 07:40 Origin of Almost Friday Media 14:16 Importance of Visual Elements 21:03 Collaborating with talent and creators 22:30 Organizing YouTube content like TV studios 28:20 Talent investment versus network deals 38:33 Strategic planning for live events 42:55 Value of host read ads in video 53:13 Reviewing audience engagement regularly 01:01:33 Innovative media strategy and format GUESTS: ANDREW KENWARD, PRESIDENT | COO Website | LinkedIn PAIGE HYMSON, EVP TALK CONTENT (SPORTS AND PODCASTS) LinkedIn Andrew’s Podcast rec: Prof G Markets | Book Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson Paige’s Podcast rec: Wisecrack | Book Captain Cook: Exploring the Wide, Wide Sea 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.

    Building a Podcast Network Around Creators, Not Just Content
  8. Jul 23 ·  Video

    Growing a Podcast Network in Hyper-Specialized Markets

    What happens when a podcast network is built with a laser-focused niche rather than sheer volume—and most of its shows are produced or hosted by the same person? In fields as specialized as legal compliance or rural West Texas storytelling, the logic behind network-building flips conventional wisdom. This conversation explores how specificity, not broad appeal, reshapes what a podcast network can do. Tom Fox began his career as a lawyer and consultant before pioneering a compliance-focused podcast network in 2017. He now operates two networks—one with about 60 compliance shows (most hosted by himself), and another dedicated to local stories in Texas Hill Country. His approach is rooted in long experience creating, distributing, and monetizing highly specialized podcasts. Listen for: 6:34 Starting a podcast 7:38 Podcasting motivations and process 10:24 Turning recordings into a podcast 19:54 Promoting shows through social media 22:52 Targeting niche compliance audiences 25:10 Advertising to small town businesses 28:33 Creating autobiography and podcast series 31:40 AI-generated content quality 34:56 Starting a local podcast network 40:28 Running a business without a website 48:10 Reflecting on meaningful conversations CONNECT WITH GUEST: TOM FOX, VOICE OF COMPLIANCE, COMPLIANCE PODCAST NETWORK Website | LinkedIn Podcast rec: The Rest is History | Compliance Tip of the Day Book rec: Deluge Before Dawn: Heartbreak, Survival and Resilience After the Guadalupe River Raged CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS FOR RSS.COM Website | LinkedIn 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 a Podcast Network in Hyper-Specialized Markets

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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.