Small Press, Big Ideas

Paul Gewuerz

Small Press, Big Ideas is a podcast about the business of local news and community journalism in the US. Host Paul Gewuerz interviews entrepreneurs and journalists in the field to get their take on what's working, what isn't, and how local publishers can thrive in today's rapidly changing media landscape.

  1. What media gets wrong about audience data

    1D AGO

    What media gets wrong about audience data

    James Capo, CEO of Omeda, breaks down why most media companies are making growth harder than it needs to be. Instead of treating audience as a unified asset, many teams are stuck managing disconnected tools and fragmented data, creating what he calls the 'Frankenstack'. His core argument is simple but powerful: audience management is not just a tech problem, it is a workflow problem. This episode dives into how modern media businesses should think about audience identity across products like newsletters, podcasts, and events, why first party data needs a clearer definition in the age of AI, and one overlooked tactic local publishers should adopt immediately. Links: Omeda https://www.omeda.com/ Sign up for OX9 in Chicago https://ox.omeda.com/ James Capo - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-capo-a79b3b3/ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  2. Why this publisher chose print over digital

    3D AGO

    Why this publisher chose print over digital

    Karen Schneider shares how she launched and grew multiple local newspapers in Wisconsin at a time when most of the industry was retreating from print. With a background in advertising rather than journalism, she explains how understanding revenue and community needs shaped a model built on every door delivery, free access, and strong local coverage. Links: Karen Schneider - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-schneider-4684634/ Winnebago Media Group https://winnebagomediagroup.com/ Oshkosh Herald https://oshkoshherald.com/ Neenah News https://neenahnewsnow.com/ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  3. Inside a mission driven regional newsroom

    6D AGO

    Inside a mission driven regional newsroom

    Noah Glick, executive editor of the Sierra Nevada Ally, joins the podcast to talk about building a nonprofit newsroom focused on civics, climate, and community in Northern Nevada. He shares his unconventional path from advertising to public radio and eventually into mission driven local journalism. The conversation explores why contextual reporting and explainers matter more than ever, how small outlets are experimenting with newsletters, podcasts, and partnerships, and the ongoing challenge of funding independent local news. Noah also discusses the role of AI in journalism, the importance of civic literacy, and what the future might look like for collaborative regional media. Links: Sierra Nevada Ally https://sierranevadaally.org/ Noah Glick - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-glick-3601b911/ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  4. AI is changing who owns information

    MAR 30

    AI is changing who owns information

    This episode explores how AI is fundamentally reshaping the value of information and what that means for local publishers. Paul Myers and Ryan Clark from Lantrn AI argue that the old internet model built on reach and advertising is fading, replaced by a system where unique, on the ground information is the most valuable asset. They break down why publishers should centralize their data, rethink distribution, and build direct relationships with their communities. The conversation also dives into practical starting points, the importance of experimentation, and how local media can create entirely new products and revenue streams by owning their information instead of giving it away. Links: Lantrn AI https://lantrn.ai Paul Myers email paul@lantrn.ai Ryan Clark email ryan@lantrn.ai --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
  5. Reaching people where they actually consume the news

    MAR 28

    Reaching people where they actually consume the news

    Oseye Boyd, editor in chief of Mirror Indy, shares how a new nonprofit newsroom is reshaping local journalism in Indianapolis. The conversation explores how Mirror Indy meets audiences where they are through newsletters, social media, and even text message channels. Oseye also discusses the challenges facing modern journalism, from changing media habits to the cautious adoption of AI, while building a sustainable community focused newsroom. Links: Mirror Indy ⁠mirrorindy.org⁠⁠ ⁠ Oseye Boyd - LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/oseye-o-she-uh-boyd-a8554989/⁠ Mirror Indy 90's sitcom video ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mirror-indy_today-dec-5-2025-mirror-indy-turns-activity-7402739451552182272-y5r1⁠ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min
  6. Running a local newspaper across two states

    MAR 25

    Running a local newspaper across two states

    James Bright leads the Texarkana Gazette as both editor and general manager, a rare role that bridges newsroom priorities with business realities. In this conversation he shares how the 150 year old publication is adapting to a digital first world while still maintaining the editorial standards that built its reputation. James explains how his team shifted from a print focused model to digital subscriptions, introduced an iPad program for readers, and began experimenting with philanthropy as a funding pillar for local journalism. The conversation also explores the challenges of monetizing short form video, practical uses of AI in the newsroom, and a lot more. Links: James Bright - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-bright-9213a443/ Texarkana Gazette https://www.texarkanagazette.com/ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min
  7. How hyperlocal print newspapers still make money

    MAR 23

    How hyperlocal print newspapers still make money

    Kirk Kern spent decades inside traditional newspapers before launching his own hyperlocal media company in Las Vegas. After losing his job during the 2020 shutdowns, he rebuilt from scratch with a simple model: small monthly newspapers mailed directly to tightly connected neighborhoods. In this conversation, Kirk explains how he keeps costs low, sells ads to local service businesses, and grows community focused publications that residents actually read. He shares practical lessons from launching multiple neighborhood papers, the realities of selling ads as a journalist, and why hyperlocal print can still be a profitable media business when done right. Links: Kirk Kern - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkkern/ Hyperlocal Media Nevada https://hyperlocalmedianv.com/ 215 News https://215news.com/ Mesquite Local News https://mesquitelocalnews.com/ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  8. The future of local news through the eyes of a longtime TV news director

    MAR 21

    The future of local news through the eyes of a longtime TV news director

    Mario Orellana spent three decades inside a television newsroom in San Antonio, working his way from a teenage intern to news director. In this conversation he shares what it was like building a career during massive shifts in the media industry and why local journalism still plays a critical role in communities. Mario also talks about launching his new venture M.O. Media Co and how journalists can bring their storytelling skills into marketing, consulting, and brand strategy. Along the way he shares lessons on newsroom culture, mentoring the next generation of journalists, and how news organizations should think about AI while protecting trust and credibility. Links: Mario Orellana - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-orellana-media/ --- This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the audio platform built for local media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LocalPod.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  --- Subscribe to the Local News Industry Pulse newsletter to receive a weekly briefing of news, policy, trends, and more in the local news industry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://localnewsindustrypulse.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min
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5
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6 Ratings

About

Small Press, Big Ideas is a podcast about the business of local news and community journalism in the US. Host Paul Gewuerz interviews entrepreneurs and journalists in the field to get their take on what's working, what isn't, and how local publishers can thrive in today's rapidly changing media landscape.

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