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Artwork for Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Semafor Podcasts
Advertising
Donald Trump
Youtube
Social Media
Artificial Intelligence
Kamala Harris
Digital Media
Tiktok
Podcasting
Elon Musk
Marketing
Ozy Media
Creator Economy
Joe Biden
Fraud
Twitter
Trump Administration
Media Industry
Carlos Watson
Creativity

Every Friday media reporter Max Tani and Semafor Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith pull back the curtain on the most important stories about media, revealing why you see and hear what you see and hear. Mixed Signals from Semafor Media is supported by Think with Google.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes119Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryBusiness NewsNews

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Artwork for Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

Latest Episodes

Internet reporter and YouTuber Taylor Lorenz joins Mixed Signals to make the case that the bipartisan push to get kids off social media is less about child safety than it looks. Max and Ben ask Taylor where the actual line is between moral panic and ... more

Social media consultant and “Link in Bio” newsletter author Rachel Karten joins Mixed Signals to explain what social media actually is in 2026. Max and Ben ask Rachel how the shift from follower-based to algorithm-driven distribution broke the contra... more

Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl joins Mixed Signals — with Semafor business editor Liz Hoffman filling in for Ben — to explain what a record label actually does in a world where anyone can upload a song to Spotify. Max and Liz ask Robert why Warn... more

Subway Takes creator and host Kareem Rahma joins Mixed Signals to talk about reinventing the talk show for the vertical video era, and just how much it costs. Max and Ben ask Kareem about how he built a show that feels spontaneous but runs like a TV ... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rachel Karten
Leading social media consultant; former social media editor
Lincoln Bio, consultant to brands/media companies
Episode: Social media consultant Rachel Karten on the death of the follower, micro-dramas, and being “algorithmically ungovernable”
Robert Kyncl
CEO of Warner Music Group, former Chief Business Officer at YouTube
Warner Music Group
Episode: Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl on AI, streaming power, and why music royalties are the safest asset on Wall Street
Kareem Rahma
Creator/host of Subway Takes and Keep the Meter Running
Subway Takes, Keep the Meter Running
Episode: Kareem Rahma on building a talk show empire and the business behind his viral shows
Vic Jacobi
NBA content creator and consultant for players and brands
Independent creator with Nike and other brands mentioned in context
Episode: Vic Jacobi on building trust in NBA circles and the business of knowing everybody
Tim Heidecker
Comedian and creative director formerly associated with Infowars, Onion-adjacent satire
Infowars (creative director); The Onion
Episode: From WIRED's Uncanny Valley: Tim Heidecker Thinks Twitter Should Be a World Heritage Site
Vivek Murthy
Former U.S. Surgeon General; advocate focused on loneliness and well-being
U.S. Government (former Surgeon General)
Episode: Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is more worried about your phone than your body
Steve Hilton
Former UK politician and media advisor, Republican governor candidate in California
Campaign for Steve Hilton in California
Episode: Steve Hilton on the Murdochs, David Ellison, and conservative media’s California
Katie Nolan
Sports media personality; host of Casuals for SiriusXM
SiriusXM, Fox Sports, ESPN
Episode: Katie Nolan on the sports gambling takeover, covering politics, and the slow return of the boys' club
Steve Huffman
CEO of Reddit, co-founder of Reddit
Reddit
Episode: Reddit CEO Steve Huffman on LLMs, fighting the bots, and why it’s good that you can't get famous on Reddit

Hosts

Max Tani
Co-host and media reporter affiliated with Semafor; known for navigating media shifts, industry trends, and high-signal interviews across the show.
Ben Smith
Editor-in-Chief; veteran media journalist who co-hosts, anchors conversations with industry guests, and provides broader editorial perspective.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 395 ratings
  • Slightly bizarre approach

    Great calibre of guests. But god - Ben thinks we’re all utterly thick. I really dislike the “here’s what you’re going to hear” and “hear’s what you’ve heard” intro/ends. Just let the interview speak for itself!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Miscellany 86
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • 5 Star

    FANTASTIC!!! Content is always great. Max is quick on his feet, articulate, & overall very good host. Ben is Ben: connected AF, the OG young-guy in the newsroom, now Perfect in role as the Wise Owl. He is the Godfather of The New-News. Can we make this a 3 times a week Podcast release? Need more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tommy2Floor
    United States8 months ago
  • Enjoyed the smart discussion, but suffers from NYT syndrome

    I had to take a break for a bit after a host claimed NPR had “down the center” journalism takes. Such a statement requires a certain type of bubble to believe, and frankly you lose people’s respect when you say it. I will try again in the new years. One mishap won’t turn me away, I don’t mind challenging myself, but the hosts shouldn’t either.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Miriad
    United States9 months ago
  • A-List media guests, D-bag media hosts

    The hosts really bring smarmier-than-thou, death-to-traditional media energy. The Google interstitials are 100 percent skippable. I listen to the show in spite of Ben and Max, not because of them.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    BBQ Calendar Guy
    United States9 months ago
  • Always interesting

    I really enjoy the broad scope of your guests. They are always interesting and provocative. I also like that you treat all the guests with respect, yet still ask the tough questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Californiaal
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Cross-promotion with major tech brands is visible and sometimes polarizing.
Some listeners dislike the hosts' tone but still value the depth and guests.
Interviews often feel candid and business-focused, with clear takeaways for marketing and sponsorships.
Guests are consistently high-caliber, with a strong reporting backbone.
The guest diversity and probing questions keep the conversation provocative and insightful.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl on AI, streaming power, and why music royalties are the safest asset on Wall Street
Q: What is a record label in 2026, given the democratization of distribution?
A record label now functions as a facilitator and platform that distributes music globally, uses technology to break artists, manages catalogs, and monetizes through streaming, licensing, and AI-enabled services while providing infrastructure to independent artists.
Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is more worried about your phone than your body
Q: What are the problems you're hearing from people regarding AI and isolation?
Many young people use AI companions for emotional support, but there are serious safety concerns when these interactions can encourage harmful paths and replace human relationships. The core issue is balancing the benefits of accessible AI with the need to protect vulnerable users and ensure safe, meaningful human connections.
Eli Pariser on the end of the feed and how AI will change your morning routine
Q: What does this mean for news organizations and publishers?
There will be a major reconfiguration of value in information production, with emphasis on trusted sources, narrative, and community-building beyond what centralized platforms offer.
Eli Pariser on the end of the feed and how AI will change your morning routine
Q: How soon do you think morning routines will change with AI mediating information?
We could start seeing tangible changes within a year, with tools that pre-synthesize and tailor content across devices, replacing parts of the current morning information load.
Flynn McGarry on growing up as a food prodigy and the waning power of restaurant reviews
Q: What is your view on the role of social media in building a restaurant and a chef's career?
He describes a dual approach: DIY, authentic posts that showcase day-to-day progress and a more polished production strategy as the two main forms that work now, with emphasis on connecting audiences to the restaurant's farms and supply chain rather than generic content.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

What is Mixed Signals from Semafor Media about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, industry-forward show that dissects the media landscape through interviews with executives, creators, and journalists. Recent episodes center on AI's impact on creativity and monetization, the economics of streaming and catalogs, the indie creator ecosystem, and the evolving dynamics between legacy media and platform power. Notable threads include how royalties, licensing, and AI are reshaping business models, plus real-world case studies from music, advertising, tech, sports media, and public broadcasting. A recurring strength is pairing seasoned newsroom instincts with deep dives into strategy, making it valuable for PR pros, marketers, and sponsorship buyers seeking practical takeaways and high-signal guests. A standout feature ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Mixed Signals from Semafor Media:

1. The Grill Room
2. Channels with Peter Kafka
3. The Powers That Be: Daily
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

How many episodes of Mixed Signals from Semafor Media are there?

Mixed Signals from Semafor Media launched 2 years ago and published 119 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Mixed Signals from Semafor Media?

Recent guests on Mixed Signals from Semafor Media include:

1. Rachel Karten
2. Robert Kyncl
3. Kareem Rahma
4. Vic Jacobi
5. Tim Heidecker
6. Vivek Murthy
7. Steve Hilton
8. Katie Nolan

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